World YWCA to participate in fourth Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights
A World YWCA delegation of women and young women leaders will participate in the fourth Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 8-12, 2010.
The conference is part of a long-term process of building and fostering regional dialogue on sexual health and rights that lead to concrete action to influence policy. The purpose of the fourth Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights is to examine the interrelationship between sexuality and HIV and in particular, to open up discourse on sexuality in Africa and how this might lead to new insights in reducing the spread of HIV.
Prior to the meeting, a planning consultation organised and facilitated by the World YWCA, with support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation will offer 8 African YWCAs an opportunity to consult, plan and strategise for effective implementation of programme on SRHR and HIV in Africa.
The planning consultation is a strategic opportunity to strengthen the African response to SRHR and HIV, especially around critical issues that are affecting young women in Africa,” says World YWCA HIV and AIDS Coordinator Sophie Dilmitis. “ We hope to mobilise women to take the lead on SRHR and enable women leaders at all levels to influence change and participate in decision-making around health and human rights.”
The YWCAs taking part in the planning consultation include Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Tanzania.
The overall outcome of the meeting is to generate stronger and more coordinated YWCA responses on SRHR and HIV and AIDS. “Following the Regional Training Institute in Nigeria in 2009, World YWCA further supports a SRHR agenda that reflects local and national SRHR priorities.
” We must ensure an agenda that continues to protect the SRHR of African women, especially young women.””
