Health, HIV & AIDS:

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Policies

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>> 1991
>> 1987

The World YWCA has set consistent policy over the years to make HIV and AIDS a priority for the movement as defined within the following statements:

2003 -- WORLD COUNCIL, Brisabane, Australia

Be it resolved that:

The World YWCA promote and work towards the provision of extensive access to quality education, resources, information, discussion and counseling for women and girls regarding their reproductive health rights and sexuality.

Be it further resolved that:

• This education, discussion, resources, information and counseling address:

• Care of reproductive health, including prevention of HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and other health threats,

• Rights of girls and women to make choices and have control over their own bodies,

• Rights of girls and women to value their sexuality,

• Accurate information about the physical act of sex,

• The emotional and psychological aspects of sexuality,

• Healing for girls and women whose reproductive rights and sexuality have been violated.

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2002 -- WORLD YWCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, Geneva, Switzerland

Reaffirming the World YWCA Strategic Plan and recognizing that the HIV and AIDS pandemic is ravaging populations all over the world, with conditions worsening daily on the continent of Africa, the World YWCA Executive Committee recommends that the halt of the spread of HIV/AIDS be made a major movement-wide priority over the next four years. Specific recommended measures are :

1. That funds be sought to ensure that YWCAs are able to develop or strengthen HIV and AIDS prevention, education and/or care programmes. These programmes should be gender related and could include :

• Poverty alleviation
• Programmes for women who have been affected by HIV and AIDS
• Information, education, and communication
• Counselling
• Preventative health care
• Caring for children whose parents have AIDS and orphans affected by AIDS
• Life skills training for youth
• Programmes on sexuality
• Programmes on policy in the workplace

2. As well as programmatic responses, that all YWCAs join and/or initiate networks to lobby for effective, gender sensitive government policies to contain the spread of HIV and AIDS and ensure availability of medicines and care for those affected by AIDS .

That YWCAs at all levels and the World office actively seek and participate in training workshops and conferences and that those who participate in these trainings endeavour to communicate what they have learned through the web, forums, and publications and replicate the training in as many settings as possible.

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1991 -- WORLD COUNCIL, Stavanger, Norway

Whereas, the incidence of HIV and AIDS has become of the most devastating health problems throughout the world, thereby impacting on the lives of women and their families;

Whereas, there still remains a great need to inform and educate women and their families as to the prevention and transmission of HIV;
Whereas, there exists a need to provide support and assistance to women and their families who are affected by HIV and AIDS;

Be it resolved that

the World YWCA Council strongly encourage the World YWCA to continue its efforts to develop programmes and strategies for helping national associations become actively involved in providing the education and information needed on HIV and AIDS.

Be it further resolved that

assistance be provided to help national associations develop support systems necessary for the women and their families who are affected by HIV and AIDS.

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1987 -- WORLD COUNCIL, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Whereas, the incidence of AIDS is an increasing health problem throughout the world;

Whereas, ignorance as to, and lack of awareness of its causes and the ways by which the disease is transmitted and contracted could be a deterrent to the prevention of its spread;

Whereas, there is widespread rejection and isolation of those who have been affected;

Be it resolved that:

The World YWCA Council urge national YWCAs to establish programmes providing preventive health education on the subject of AIDS.

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