Our Mission Statement

For more information, see the links to the left for our full mission statement in three languages.

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 of 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.