World Alliance Facilitates Reflection on Violence against Women and the Responsibility of Men
Based on the Biblical story of the rape of Tamar, the World Alliance of YMCAs facilitated a reflection session on sexual violence committed against women, and the factors that push men to commit such acts.
Solomuzi Mabuza from South Africa, and representing the Africa Alliance of YMCAs at the AIDS 2008 Conference, stated that sexual violence against women is prevalent in most countries of the world. The reasons underlying such acts are also common throughout the world. The subjugation of women is the result of a patriarchal system where men are expected to dominate and assert their power in different ways, including the use of force.
Participants from Latin America, Asia and Africa all affirmed that the YMCA should provide the space for women and men to reflect on this issue. Particular attention should be given to examining concepts of male identity and masculinity and how these could be re-defined, re-imagined and internalised to bring about gender equality. UNAIDS and various researches have shown that HIV and AIDS is fuelled by poverty and gender inequality, and on both counts it is women who bear the consequences.
The session took place at the Interfaith Networking Zone at the Global Village on 6 August 2008. The Global Village is part of the International AIDS Conference bringing together hundreds of civil society organisations, networks and UN Agencies for sharing of good practices, educational materials, networking and fundraising for HIV and AIDS programmes.
A World Without AIDS: How YMCA Young People Made a Dream Happen
YMCA AIDS Ribbon
It started with Daniel’s idea: a large mural with an AIDS Ribbon filled with thumbprints symbolising support for a dream of a world without AIDS by 2015. The idea caught fire and we got to work immediately. Some went to the market to buy the necessary materials, others started planning the details.
That night the structure was built; a two by four and a half metre tall structure made of plastic tubes bound together by transparent tape and instead of a cloth, opaque black plastic; the very same material from which plastic trash bags are made. Long red balloons were bent to form the AIDS ribbon.
What did we want to achieve and why? In the global village, the emphasis seems to be that of promoting ideas, strategies, good practices and safe sexual practices. People are given a variety of material including: condoms, CDs, posters, magazines, manuals, and pens. Asking someone to post their thumbprint on a mural was a new experience for many. Not only did it require people to give of themselves, but they also had to get their thumbs dirty.
The plan was to start collecting the first thumbprints from the workshop participants that the YMCA youth representatives were going to organise in the afternoon. The goal of the workshop was to communicate the link between HIV and AIDS and the situations that put young people at risk.
Unfortunately, thirty minutes into the workshop no one had arrived, and there was no sign that our small space at the Youth Networking Zone was going to be filled. Marco (Bolivia YMCA) had already prepared his mime act and was starting to feel disappointed, but they decided to start anyway. Maria (Guatemala YMCA) took the microphone and started calling people to come to the YMCA workshop which was « an experience not to be missed » while Marco and the others started performing. After the short performance, Mainor introduced an icebreaking game to engage the workshop participants. 15 minutes of superb miming and a fun game encouraged people to give the workshop a try.
About ten faithful workshop participants took part actively by giving their views and accepting parts in a role play. To end the workshop the participants were invited to put their thumbprints on the mural. The rest is history.
Many people from diverse backgrounds came to the mural, happy to be part of a growing number of people who dream of a world without AIDS. They had their photo taken while pasting the piece of paper with their thumbprint on the mural; a couple of which had signatures written on them.
A highlight was when Karen Dunaway Gonzalez, a 13 year old from Honduras, born HIV+ and who gave the youth welcome speech at the opening ceremony, offered her thumbprint with the media behind her.
Our message was simple but universal, a message beyond question, clear and compelling, reflecting the deepest desires of each and every one at the Conference: A world without AIDS.
Our mural emphasises that personal commitment is vital for the universal action needed to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS, and that it is not an impossible dream.
The upper part of the ribbon is still empty and it would need very tall people to fill it—or a ladder, which we will have tomorrow.
Peter Borges (Nagpur YMCA) Reflects on His Experience at the Ecumenical Pre-Conference
Ecumenical Pre-Conference
A young child living with HIV giving a ‘clarion call’ for a more concrete response from religious leaders and also setting an example by praying for the religious leaders.
A religious leader living with HIV publicly speaking about her real life experiences of stigma and discrimination.
A woman sharing her experience of sexual violence and exhorting religious leaders and faith communities to urgently address gender-based violence.
A religious leader washing the feet of two women living with HIV symbolising humility and the need for repentance for the silent discrimination and denial which have characterised the Church’s attitude and response to HIV for a long time.
These were some of the stories that I heard during the past three days at the Ecumenical Pre-Conference. The Conference proved to be an excellent platform to reflect on the work done by churches and faith-based organisations. It was an occasion to enhance the faith community’s capacity to address and educate on HIV/AIDS, to eliminate the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, as well as to provide information that will assist the faith community in developing interventions that reduce high-risk behaviors.
There was a sense of urgency to take action that will have a positive effect on the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in our places of worship or faith-based organisations.
It was clear throughout the Conference that people find it difficult to begin discussing HIV and AIDS, especially in the faith community, where talk of sex and drugs carries immediate social judgment. Yet the silence, allows stigma and discrimination to flourish, and it hinders people with HIV/AIDS from seeking the help and support they need, and crushes efforts to educate communities to prevent the spread of the disease.
It is necessary for us at the YMCA to align our programmes and bring faith and Christian values into our programming. In addition, based on our experiences and the good standing that we have in our communities, it is also important that our programmes focus on young people and women who are the most affected by the pandemic. Human rights and gender justice are crosscutting themes that should inform our work on HIV and AIDS.
We cannot be complacent as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned. It is urgent that we put our ‘Faith in Action Now!”
Come and join us at the XVII International Aids Conference (IAC)
From 28 July 28 to 10 August 2008, 14 YMCA representatives from 10 countries will be in Mexico City to participate in the 17th International AIDS Conference. The theme that would define and give direction to our participation at this conference is : ‘Youth Leadership & Volunteerism in the Response to HIV/AIDS : Empowerment, Responsibility, Solidarity.’ more+
World Alliance of YMCAs - STATEMENT International AIDS Conference - 3-8 August, 2008, Mexico
The spread of HIV and AIDS continues to have a devastating effect on youth,
families and communities throughout the world, especially in developing
countries. The harm it brings impacts on every community where the YMCA
operates and within them it is the poor who are the most affected. AIDS,
therefore, is not only a health issue; AIDS is a complex challenge that is
intimately linked to questions concerning development and a whole array of
The World Alliance of YMCAs (Young Men Christian Association) is a
federation of YMCAs in 124 countries with a membership of over 45 million.
YMCAs seek to share the Christian ideal of building a human community
of peace with justice for all, irrespective of race, class, religion,
or gender. Formed in 1844, the YMCA is one of the largest and oldest youth
movements in the world.
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