Hot topics for ATHENA
Bridging the Gap
Addressing Emerging Trends and Neglected Issues at the Intersection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV
ATHENA has launched the Bridging the Gap series at the Fourth National South African AIDS Conference.
- ‘Mapping Emerging Trends and Neglected Issues at the Intersection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV’, as an outcome document from the ATHENA 2008 SRHR and HIV Retreat
- Fact Sheet on ‘HPV, Cervical Cancer, and HIV: Screening and Prevention’, authored by Fiona Hale
- Policy Brief ‘Developing a Human Rights Framework to Address Coerced Sterilization and Abortion: Articulating the Principle of Free and Informed Decision-Making’, authored by the Health Equity and Law Clinic, International Reproductive and Sexual Health Law Program of the University of Toronto
- Case Study ‘Documenting Human Rights Violations in Healthcare Settings: Experiences of HIV Positive Women in Namibia’, containing the direct documentation of Namibia Women’s Health Network members
These materials are part of a broader initiative to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV, particularly the right to safe, healthy motherhood and to reproductive choices. The broader initiative includes the on-going development of human rights frameworks, policy briefs, and fact sheets; the use of human rights mechanisms, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur; community-led documentation projects; capacity building; and community mobilization.
With support from the Packard Foundation Population Program, the ATHENA Network has formed and launched a Reference Group to identify and address emerging trends and neglected issues at the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV, with a core focus on the priorities and perspectives of women living with, and affected by, HIV.
Current ATHENA Reference Group members include the AIDS Legal Network, Center for Reproductive Rights, Health Systems Trust, ICW, ICW Southern Africa, Ipas, Namibia Women’s Health Network, and the Salamander Trust.
Book launch for ATHENA member, Professor Ida Susser
On 5 February 2009, Ida Susser launched her book – Gender Sex and Culture: Global Politics and Survival in Southern Africa – at the Book Lounge, a stone's throw away from the South African Parliament in Cape Town.
The event was well attended, with people sitting and standing on every available space, listening and engaging in a discussion facilitated by Professor Nicoli Natrass of the University of Cape Town. Sibongile Mkhize, a senior researcher at Health Systems Trust who wrote one of the chapters, spoke of writing about how she cared for her sister who died of AIDS. She also talked about what it is like to be left behind and about being "affected" by HIV/AIDS. Promise Mthembu spoke about the layers of marginalization and alienation in treatment programmes that women experience. She also passed on details of a new South African positive women’s organization, Her Right Initiative (HRI), that she was spearheading.
The event was attended by Ida’s parents Zena Stein and Merwyn Susser and many family friends and comrades associated with the progressive health and anti-apartheid movements.
Why ATHENA
WHY ATHENA
The ATHENA Network was created to advance gender equity and human rights in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Because gender inequity fuels HIV and HIV fuels gender inequity, it is imperative that women and girls – particularly those living with HIV – speak out, set priorities for action, and lead the response. ATHENA builds from a shared history of advocacy around International AIDS Conferences. The Barcelona Bill of Rights, promulgated by partners at the 2002 International AIDS Conference, is our framework for action.s.
ATHENA’s mission is to:
- Advance the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of women’s and girls’ human rights, comprehensively and inclusively, as a fundamental component of the response to HIV and AIDS.
- Ensure gender equity in HIV-related research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and the development interventions based on a gendered analysis.
- Promote and facilitate the leadership of women and girls, especially those living with HIV, in all aspects of the response to HIV and AIDS.
- Bridge the communities around the world that are addressing gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV.
In advancing this mission, ATHENA aims to:
- Address neglected or contentious human rights issues such as the sexual and reproductive rights of women living with HIV.
- Link the global with the local in meaningful ways.
- Link research, policy, advocacy, and practice.
- Share information and experiences in order to develop common agendas.
- Build alliances across movements, sectors, and regions.
- Develop and support the leadership capacity of women and girls, especially those living with HIV.
- Enable individuals and organizations to be agents of change.
As ATHENA Chair MariJo Vazquez (previous Chair of ICW) has remarked – “We empower others by sitting at the table together.” We hope you will join us in our effort to advance gender equity and human rights in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Mujeres adelante!
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This month, ATHENA is featuring work done by Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) USA. Click here for previous organizational member profiles.
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