Sexual Violence and HIV/AIDS

There can no longer be any question that women are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Violence – and the threat of violence – affects women’s ability to protect themselves from infection. In conflict situations, violence and the virus often go together.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation funds initiatives run by and for women to mitigate the impact of gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. It’s a multi-faceted issue, but African women and the grassroots groups working with them have set the agenda for an integrated response:

• Heal and support women who have been subject to sexual and gender-based violence
• Promote economic independence for women and girls
• Educate girls and women towards sexual autonomy
• Advocate for women’s equality and laws against violence against women

The Stephen Lewis Foundation supports community-based organizations that are working at the crossroads of sexual violence and HIV and AIDS. These organizations deal with crisis situations and provide urgent medical care, counselling and expert assistance on the ground.

We are also supporting the creation, by frontline activists, of the African Institute on Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDS and Counselling (AIR). The fledgling Institute is unlike anything else that exists on the continent: imagine a dynamic, mobile, expert response team of women, ready to assist other women and organizations throughout Africa, armed with expertise in counselling and trained to assist frontline workers, counsellors, nurses and doctors. The Institute will also serve as a much-needed forum for advocates to come together to exchange new ideas, approaches and lessons learned around sexual violence and AIDS.

To watch a video message from Stephen Lewis about sexual violence and HIV/AIDS, click here.