YWCAs Around the World
Article index
Since 1855, YWCAs around the world have championed women’s rights. YWCAs work within their local context to find solutions that work for the women and girls in their community. In this briefing, we highlight the work YWCAs are doing to ensure women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Young women in Ukraine learn about responsible sexual behaviour
Ukraine has the highest number of people living with HIV in Europe. In response, the YWCA of Ukraine has organised workshops in the capital Kyiv that educate young women on HIV and AIDS. Over 250 young women have attended the workshops and learnt about responsible sexual behaviour, the importance of good sexual health and the social and economic factors that make women vulnerable to HIV. “I did not even know female condoms exist. We have so much to learn and we must tell other people,” said a young woman participant.
“The young women take themselves more seriously with respect to their health,” says Marina Grodzitskaya, Project Manager for the workshops, “They obtain information on where and how they can undergo anonymous HIV testing and if necessary get consultations and support. They become aware of the dangers of unprotected sex.“
The workshops are popular with young women who are eager for information on HIV and sexual health. “This training gave me a new push to act. I have started to deliver mini-trainings to my friends,“ says Christine, a YWCA member.
The YWCA of Ukraine will continue hosting the workshops and hopes to expand the participation to sex workers.
Finding support after breast cancer
Globally, breast cancer kills one woman every 75 seconds. The YWCA Encore programme, run by YWCAs in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and Japan, assists women who have had breast cancer surgery. Encore was developed in the 1970s by YWCA USA women who had experienced trouble finding appropriate support programmes after breast cancer surgery.
Recovering from breast cancer can have serious physical and psychological effects. Encore has been designed to address the challenges of recovery through improving mobility and flexibility, boosting self-esteem and confidence and finding relief from discomfort experienced after surgery. Encore is offered free-of-charge and runs over an eight-week period with a weekly group meeting to participate in floor and pool exercises and an information and support session.
In Australia, Encore evaluations found nine out of ten women who attend an Encore course report physical improvement. Eight out of ten women feel an increase in their energy level and 100 per cent of the women report that they benefited from attending Encore.
Going sailing? Take a condom
The YWCA of Grenada has pledged their commitment to raise awareness of HIV and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) on the Caribbean island of Grenada.
The association has developed an HIV and AIDS Committee that works alongside the Grenada National Aids Directorate and other non-governmental organisations to educate both its membership and the general public on HIV and AIDS and SRHR.
The YWCA of Grenada recently hosted an HIV awareness booth and voluntary counseling and testing at the Grenada Sailing Festival. “It was an excellent opportunity to showcase Grenada’s HIV agenda. YWCA volunteers walked along the beach with educational materials that included posters, male and female condoms, contact cards and an HIV awareness survey,“ says Shonta Duncan, a YWCA of Grenada member.
Promotional materials such as water bottles were handed out to people who correctly answered questions on the topic. Condoms were also distributed to those who attended to encourage responsible sexual practices and behaviour. The association also held an Open House on World AIDS Day 2008 to raise awareness of HIV in Grenada and provide information on the correct use of the male and female condom.