Aleksandrovich expressed the need to engage policy and decision makers in advocacy programmes in order to create change in society.

Aleksandrovich explored the basic elements of the advocacy process, stressing the importance of increased involvement from European YWCAs in advocacy at the individual, societal and environmental levels to influence policies, programmes, laws and behaviours on issues concerning HIV and AIDS in their communities.

Carmen Tarrades, Membership and Development Officer of the International Community of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (ICW) presented a session on effective and innovative HIV and AIDS prevention where she discussed HIV prevention approaches which included cervical barriers, pre and post exposure prophylaxis, HIV vaccines, microbicides and harm reduction programmes for injecting drug users. ‘As long as countries continue to have repressive laws for injecting drug users they will continue to hide and share needles. We need to demystify the myths surrounding injecting drug users,’ Tarrades concluded.

Injecting drug users have been identified as a major channel of transmission in Europe especially in countries such as Ukraine, Estonia, Russia and Georgia. The YWCA of Georgia shared the experience of its needle exchange programme where needles are distributed to injecting drug users who are then asked to bring back used needles for new ones. ‘Injecting drug users trust us. They come to us to exchange needles and we encourage them to go for HIV testing. Sometimes we go with them but we face the challenge of some not returning for fear of the law enforcement agents,’ said Nana Jintchardze of the YWCA of Georgia.

The workshop explored new approaches to HIV prevention and Sophie Dilmitis, World YWCA HIV and AIDS Coordinator pointed out the challenges and misconceptions that surround some prevention approaches, including male circumcision. “Some men have a false sense of security when they are circumcised. They stop using protection and this increases women's vulnerability to infection. There is the need for adequate information for those undergoing the male circumcision procedure,' said Dilmitis.

Participants also engaged in group discussions around care and support for HIV positive persons. They approached it from the perspectives of women, children and men. The importance of people taking responsibility for testing and knowing their status was identified and at this point it is important to seek pre-testing counselling to obtain basic information on what the result would mean to their lives.

Confidentiality, empathy, time and support are important were also identified as necessary for persons who test positive to overcome the initial fear experienced. Dilmitis emphasised the need for emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, nutritional and medical health. ‘All these directly affect the body, particularly our immune system,’ Dilmitis said.

As the workshop comes to a close, participants will spend the last day discussing European actions to respond to HIV at local, national and regional levels.

Related Links

• European YWCAs explore importance of partnerships with HIV positive women
• European YWCAs tackle root causes of HIV at skills building workshop
• YWCAs in Europe respond to the HIV and AIDS pandemic