Women leading change – World YWCA discusses leadership roles of women in the AIDS response at AIDS 2008
Women are not just caretakers of the children and the family. They are also leading change in the AIDS response. A session at AIDS 2008 discussed the challenges and opportunities of women’s leadership roles in the face of HIV and AIDS.
World YWCA HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator Sophie Dilmitis took part in the session and said developing new leadership amongst young women that effectively responds to HIV is critical. “ What I have seen is that many young women who are diagnosed HIV positive do not have degrees in public health. We are nursery school teachers, hairdressers, farmers and mothers who became involved because of urgent needs not being met, “ said Dilmitis.
Dilmitis offered strategies, identified through the World YWCA publication ‘ If I kept it to Myself’ that can create young women leaders. Among offering support systems, mentorship and mobilising resources, Dilmitis identified capacity building and sustainability as key. “ Young women and community women need information, skills and training around their area of work as well as supportive environments. Workshops and training should never be one off events and participants should always be followed with necessary resources to further their leadership skills, allowing women to practically use skills they have been given,” said Dilmitis.
Capacity building was a hot topic amongst panellists on the session who agreed that capacity building within organisations enables the development of solidarity, community and participation in decisions not only about women, but also the AIDS response.
