AEGiS-14IAC: Sunflower (Girasol) Project of training and suppport for women in 7 regions in Colombia.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Sunflower (Girasol) Project of training and suppport for women in 7 regions in Colombia.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11094)

Calderon J, Torres E, Arturo S, Cossio M, az M, Garcia E, Scarpeta E, Molina S, Ardila H, Stanton J
Liga Colombiana de Lucha contra el SIDA, Bogota, Colombia

BACKGROUND: In Colombia about 400.000 people may be living with HIV/AIDS. Higher prevalences are found among MSM but women are becoming more vulnerable everyday, due to different socio-cultural, making young women, involved in relationships, with less education and low income are at the top list. in different parts of the country, women to man relationship is 2:1. The first national meeting of women living with HIV/AIDS recommended the formation of a national network and the marked the need of training leaders among women .

OBJECTIVE: To train and strengthen women living with HIV/AIDS from 7 regions in Colombia to consolidate the National Network of Women Living with HIV/AIDS.

METHODOLOGY: A planning meeting was held to organize activities, then a two weeks intensive training was developed with 7 women, on sexuality, human rights, HIV/AIDS,, treatment access, empowerment and projects formulation. They went back to their cities and multiplied the information, developing regional workshops. A final evaluation meeting was held.

RESULTS: more than 200 women participated during the regional workshops. The participants considered workshops to be useful and many of them gained access to treatment after that. 80% reported a change in attitudes towards sex and their sexuality as well as better relationships with their partners. The first 7 women trained begun the National Network of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and continue working in small training workshops and human rights.

CONCLUSIONS: Through out the process the participants reported to, to feel more empower, confident about themselves and to improve their relation ships. The project allowed the consolidation of the National Network that is all ready included in national activities and working to improve the life quality and access to treatment for women.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Sexuality, Human Rights, Prevalence, Health Planning, Attitude, Colombia, United States, Adult, Human, Female, Male, education, organization & administration

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