Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 10 September 2001
Female leaders and young women volunteers and professionals from 60 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies agreed that the workshop became an intellectually inspiring event that made them focus on what can be done about HIV/AIDS, instead of on what cannot be done. Many new and practical ideas were brought forward. One example was the importance of encouraging HIV-positive people to benefit from good nutrition, which can be found in traditional food, in order to live positively and longer with HIV. This is an area where women can have great influence. This should be integrated in ARCHI 2010(African Red Cross/Red Crescent Health Initiative) as well as in other programmes, according to Dr. Heiberg.
The participants exchanged experiences and views on empowerment of girls and women, stigmatization, orphans and children vulnerable by HIV and AIDS, prevention, and care and support in the community.
One of the participants, Vice President Mandisa Kalako-Williams of the South Africa Red Cross, said that the idea of having a workshop for women was long overdue. Because women are particularly exposed to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Women are more easily infected than men. And due to cultural, social and economic factors women often have less control over their sexual life. In addition, it is women who shoulder the burden of caring for family members living with and dying from AIDS. And it is women who take on the additional burden of stepping in and caring for children who lose their parents to AIDS.
"We have to adapt our approach better to women's needs and women's situations, in order to be more successful in the battle against HIV and AIDS. And women's voices must be heard. The most important output from the workshop is the strengthened awareness of these strong female leaders in our Movement that they can make a difference within their own societies in the fight against HIV and AIDS", said Dr Heiberg.
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