YWCA of Germany supports women fighting against domestic violence and HIV and AIDS
In the YWCA Week without Violence, the YWCA of Germany is determined to support women fighting against domestic violence and HIV and AIDS in their country.
'We are a small but slowly growing and highly motivated group,' says Hanne Braun, President of the YWCA of Germany.
Partnerships have been key for the national association. 'At a seminar in Romania, we met Katalin Zoltani, a social worker working on combating domestic violence in her country. She managed to build a crisis shelter for women who were victims of violence. Following an invitation, by the YWCA of Germany, Ms. Zoltani spent an information and training week in Stuttgart,’ says Braun. During the week, Zoltani had meetings with the High Council of Churches, the advice bureau of victims of trafficking and Terre des Femmes, an organisation in Germany active in combating domestic violence, forced prostitution and forced marriages.
The World YWCA International Women’s Summit on Women’s Leadership on HIV and AIDS in 2007, Kenya also had a lasting impact on the YWCA of Germany. Braun had the opportunity at the conference to meet Dr. Lydia Mungherera, a HIV positive doctor from Uganda who runs the ‘Mamas Club. ‘Young positive mothers who are stigmatised by their families and communities meet regularly for treatment and information at Mamas Club. They also are involved in projects where they learn to grown their own vegetables and raise livestock which improves their health and provides them with a source of income,' says Braun.
The YWCA of Germany was so impressed by Mamas Club, they returned home and recommended the initiative to German donors. The association was thrilled when their words turned into financial support for the Mamas Club. ‘It gives hope for the future of many young mothers in Uganda, and other African countries. We will definitely stay in touch with Dr. Lydia to see her project ‘Mama’s Garden’ bear fruit'.
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