CSW 2010: Prevention Now, agrees World YWCA
Female and male condoms are the only dual protection methods that prevent HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy. World YWCA Communications Coordinator Sarah Davies, along with other civil society male and female advocates, discussed the issues of expanding access to female and male condoms through advocacy and programming at the 54th CSW in New York City on March 9, 2010.
Organised by the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), panellists included Kimberly Whipkey, Senior Associate for Advocacy and Research (CHANGE) and the Prevention Now! Campaign, Edinah Masiyiwa, Executive Director of the Women’s Action Group Zimbabwe, Martha Brady, Population Council and Manju Chatani-Gada, Senior Programme Manager of the Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention.
“ There are so many sexual and reproductive health and rights challenges facing young women today and young women face unique challenges that increase their risk of sexual and reproductive health related morbidity and mortality. The lack of comprehensive sexuality education and youth sensitive health services hinders a young women’s right to healthy relationships and increases the rates of unintended pregnancies and HIV,” said Sarah.
Sharing with the audience condom programmes throughout the YWCA movement such as the YWCA of Belize, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and Naucalpan, Mexico, Sarah also affirmed World YWCAs commitment to comprehensive prevention. “At the global level, the World YWCA believes that it is essential to provide adequate resources to support the capacity of women and girls to lead change on HIV and AIDS, and this ensures access to resources such as condoms as life saving devices.”
Martha Brady said that although the female condom is a key protective strategy for women there is still work to be done. “The female condom can begin the discussion about sex and power, but it can’t end there.”
In Zimbabwe, where the HIV prevalence rate is 13.7 %, women constitute up to 60% of people living with HIV. “ The ABC message failed to yield results in Zimbabwe because it failed to recognise the gender inequalities that exist,” explained Edinah.
Manju Chatani-Gada also agreed the ABC message had to be updated. “We no longer have to accept ABC as the only prevention message.”
The World YWCA is part of the UNAIDS Condoms Advocacy Working Group and have on numerous associations called for increased access and distribution of the female condom. “From the realities of women and young women around the world, the World YWCA knows and understands the importance of taking a comprehensive and integrated approach to SRHR and HIV with a particular focus on prevention, “ concluded Sarah.
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