The Women’s Networking Zone will be hosted by a partnership of international and Mexican groups, namely: Mexicanas Positivas, International Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (ICW), ICW Latina, The ATHENA Network, Colectivo Sol and Balances Promoción para el Desarrollo.

Running parallel to the Conference, WNZ will be an inviting and inclusive forum for bridging the gender divide by addressing human rights, HIV and reproductive and sexual health issues. The WNZ has a history of successfully collaborating with women’s organisation and networks of people living with HIV at the past International AIDS Conferences and the World YWCA International Women Summit in Nairobi.

The goals for the WNZ are: to create a space to share challenges and best practices in the response to HIV, with a strong focus on the work spearheaded by women living with HIV; to share updated information pertinent to women and gender-related issues; to encourage women from organisations and groups responding to HIV and AIDS to come together via discussion and interaction; to engage with women from the local community – especially women living with HIV - who are not taking part in the formal conference proceedings.

Through dialogue, skills exchange and networking the organisers expect to heighten the leadership of women living with or affected by HIV; strengthen the national, regional and global understandings, alliances and partnerships around women, gender and HIV; and have a clear and concrete commitments from decision-makers to improve the situation of women in the context of HIV in the medium and long-term.

Related links:

• IAC official Website
• Athena Network website
• International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS