Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA)
Aidslink Eastern Central and Southern Africa 1994(30): 6
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0856-3969 PMID: 12346120 Document Number: 246961
In 1988, a group of African women founded the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) during the Fourth International Conference on AIDS in Stockholm. SWAA founders were concerned that national AIDS programs, professional associations, and donor agencies were not paying enough attention to how HIV/AIDS touches the lives of women in Africa. SWAA provides opportunities for women to be leaders in bringing about positive change. It asserts that if women have appropriate education and problem-solving opportunities, they will use their knowledge to make decisions and to take action, minimizing their risk of HIV infection and the risk behaviors of their partners and family members. SWAA helps women to provide AIDS education appropriate for women and safe, effective home and community-based HIV/AIDS health care and to address the cultural beliefs that foster misinformation about AIDS and the stigmatization of women. SWAA also assists women in changing traditional norms, in reducing prostitution, and in being advocates for persons living with HIV/AIDS, including AIDS orphans, grandparents, and street children. SWAA targets male policy and decision makers at both the national and international level. It cooperates with governmental and nongovernmental organizations to stem the AIDS epidemic in Africa. SWAA News is a permanent link between the SWAA branches in 25 countries and members. It features meetings, conferences, and SWAA activities. SWAA has increased solidarity among African women. It provides a forum for examining the sexual, social, and economic factors affecting the lives of women. It is expanding to include women's support centers and networks, counseling and help for women and HIV/AIDS, and training of media professionals on women and AIDS issues.