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The "Women in Partnership against AIDS" forms part of the overarching "partnership Against AIDS" which was launched by the Deputy State President on 9 October 1999. The campaign "Women in Partnership against AIDS" functions as a joint venture between government and civil society at all spheres of governance and programme implementation.

Currently there are approximately 4.7 million South Africans living with HIV. The primary means of HIV transmission - sexual intercourse - has been known for well over a decade now, but this information does not prevent thousands of men and women from contracting the HI virus everyday.

Women are the most vulnerable group, with young women aged 20 to 30 years having the highest prevalence rates of HIV infection. In fact, as with sexually transmitted infections (STI's), women are at least four times more vulnerable to becoming infected than men. Women are also socially, culturally and economically more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. In this regard, social, cultural and economic power relations play a major role, with many women still not able to discuss or make decisions about sexual matters. Because women are more vulnerable and marginalised and because of their perceived inferior status, their ability to negotiate safer sex and counter sexual violence remains difficult.

As part of the broader 'Partnership against AIDS' initiative, the importance of women's organisations throughout the country mobilising to form a strong voice to combat the epidemic effectively, was recognised. Government has also realised that the strategic position women occupy in society can effectively and positively contribute to a winning response to the pandemic. The aim of the 'Women in Partnership' initiative is not only to unite women, but also to assess where they can best participate and drive HIV/AIDS programmes.

One of the first initiatives of the "Women in Partnership against AIDS" was the utilisation of a special train in the build-up to the launch of the Partnership by the State President on 8 March 1999 in Cape Town.

In collaboration with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the Department of Health, one-day workshops were conducted in all provinces, in order to determine the needs of women with respect to HIV/AIDS and to strengthen the response of women's organisations to the epidemic.

The "Women in Partnership Against AIDS" initiative in the provinces aims to build a local platform for decision-making, planning and action. All provinces have convened at least one meeting post the initial workshop to establish their committee's vision and terms of reference, to choose office bearers and if necessary co-opt additional members. Preliminary discussions have begun with regard to developing provincial action plans.

National Summit

The culmination of the first phase of the "Women in Partnership against AIDS" initiative will be a national summit to be held in Johannesburg on 27 and 28 March 2001. The Minister of Health for South Africa, Dr Manto Tshabalala - Msimang, will formally open the summit during a dinner at the Kopanong Hotel in Benoni.

You are invited to attend the dinner at 19:30 at the Kopanong Hotel, Benoni on 27 March 2001.

Contact: Ms Thami Skenjana at 012 - 312-0151, 082-889-6345

Issued by Ministry of Health

27 March 2001