Driven by their strength, some young women living with HIV have dedicated their lives to improving the status of people living with HIV and AIDS in their communities and countries.

Sophie Dilmitis, one of the 26 young women proflled in the book, has written: "What I saw, time and time again in the book is that women don’t sit around waiting for the outside world to intervene. They've been doing what they can to help themselves for generations. Women know what will effect change; they just need support making it happen. If I kept it to myself addresses issues that women are facing and the World YWCA believes this book should inspire and empower other women to lead change within their own communities." The photo below, taken on the launch day, is of young women whose stories are featured in the book.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (3rd from right) with young women whose stories are in "If I kept it to myself ..."

Since the early 1990s HIV and AIDS have been a priority in many YWCAs. With sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS programmes now operating in over 60 countries, health programmes and community education strategies have been adapted to bring HIV and AIDS to the forefront of YWCA advocacy work at all levels.

The World YWCA Global Strategy on HIV and AIDS provides the framework for these activities.

Download If I kept it to myself ...