The Women Deliver conference is one of the world’s largest gatherings on gender equity and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Every few years, the conference is held in a selected country, bringing together thousands of women’s rights organisations, feminists, health advocates, policymakers, inter-governmental and civil society organisations, the private sector, and youth-led and LGBTQI+ organisations from around the globe. This year, amidst a global pushback against the rights of women and people of diverse genders, the meeting was held for the first time in Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, from 17-20 July. More than 6000 attendees joined in person, with many more joining online.
The meeting featured dialogues and sharing of best practices organised by civil society groups, governments, individuals, foundations and charities, youth groups, and communities facing systemic discrimination. Participants could join in various sessions (online and in-person), panel discussions, workshops, and side events on bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV financing, women’s right to health and global funding mechanisms.
The harsh truth is we have a long way to go...
Despite being the largest gathering on gender equality and sexual reproductive health and rights post-COVID-19, and a major opportunity to identify solutions to some of the most pressing HIV-related issues impacting young people, in particular, women and girls in the region, little was done to keep HIV firmly on the health agenda. Enthralled by controversy over the lack of representation, especially in opening and closing remarks, activists and advocates were disappointed by the conference's lack of representation of those most marginalised, which was a clear oversight. Regrettably, Women Deliver 2023 did not fully achieve the theme and goal of creating spaces, building solidarity, and establishing solutions since many of our attendees' expressed discontent with how their experiences, backgrounds, and in particular, non-conforming and gender identities continue to be left on the sidelines or exist in the shadows.
Over the last few years, the realities of people living with and affected by HIV have changed drastically. Attitudes have changed, people have changed, and laws and policies have changed.
Adolescent girls and young women still have to contend with extraordinarily high risks of HIV infection in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, as do people from key populations everywhere. UNAIDS' latest report starkly reminds us that every week 4000 adolescent girls and young women acquire HIV. In 2022, in Sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls (of all ages) accounted for 63% of all new HIV infections.
Conservative leaders in some African countries and in the Global North are limiting policies on women's bodily autonomy while funding for reproductive justice and sexual health services remains inadequate. Gender-based violence is on the rise, and laws and policies restrict women's sexual health choices. The LGBTQI+ community also faces targeted attacks, particularly in many parts of Africa. Anti-rights actors are endangering lives and leaving women and LGBTQI+ individuals increasingly unprotected.
Gender equality has been under attack for years by organised movements that seek to strip women and the LGBTQI+ community of their rights. This conservative and anti-gender stance is backed by influential policymakers, fundamentalist religious groups, and even some governments that claim to promote progressiveness. To push their anti-rights agenda, these governments have partnered with religious civil society organisations to fund their efforts, which has been seen clearly and successfully in Uganda.
At Y+ Global, we are fully committed to promoting gender equality and protecting human rights, especially for young people living with and affected by HIV. We partnered with Frontline AIDS, READY+, Aidsfonds, Love Alliance, GNP+, The Global Fund, ICW, ILGA World, to name a few, and many more organisations to host several side events focused on conversations surrounding adolescent girls, women, and young people of diverse backgrounds. Our goal was to ensure that HIV remained visible and integrated into the overall health agenda at the conference. When there was a lack of space for these critical conversations, we worked to create safe spaces where young people could speak their truth and be heard.
A recap of some of our key events and engagements
Advancing gender equality through investing in women & girls' meaningful engagement in decision-making spaces
A side event was held in partnership with The Global Fund, Her Voice Fund, ViiV Healthcare, Chanel Foundation, and Speak Up Africa to encourage the involvement of adolescent girls and young women in decision-making spaces. The event aimed to showcase successful practices and lessons from the region, examples of where adolescent girls and young women are leading the HIV response. The panellists delved into critical issues such as increasing investments for community-led initiatives and the significance of including adolescent girls and young women in decision-making from an early stage to ensure their voices are heard and that they are part of the solution.
“Promoting gender equality is a complex and long-term goal requiring collaboration, commitment and investment. We must provide AGYW with opportunities to access platforms that promote their involvement in decision-making spaces, as doing this means we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.”Maximina Jokonya
Interim Executive Director at Y+ Global
At the side event, The Global Fund, GSK and ViiV Healthcare’s announced the launch of a multi-year fund focused on advancing community engagement for gender equality in the African region. The pledge of USD 7.5 million towards the Gender Equality Fund will help accelerate progress towards gender equality through community engagement and empowerment to support the influence of women, girls and gender-diverse communities in national strategy, policy and programming relating to gender equality and health.
“I strongly believe that if we are going to change the status quo for girls and young women who continuously find themselves marginalised, despite being integral members of their communities, then we are going to have to stand up and lead. Empowering girls and young women to positively influence their peers is the most powerful form of leadership.”Sibulele Sibaca, Founder
Impact Drivers and HIV Epidemic Response Ambassador
Achieving Gender Equality - What Does It Mean for Women and Girls Living with HIV?
The side event hosted by GNP+ delved into the complex realities of women and girls living with HIV while facing other challenges. Participants had the opportunity to reflect, share experiences, and brainstorm solutions for ending gender-based violence. The conversation also highlighted the importance of normalising pleasure and exploring what it means to be a woman. The event was an inspiring space for exploring new ideas to help empower women and girls.
Doing Development Differently: Addressing Inequalities and Disrupting Power to End AIDS
“Development is being adaptive to the local context and understanding that working with young people is a transitional and transformational phase. More importantly, who holds the power and how do we influence change?”Remmy Shawa
UNESCO
During a fireside chat event, a diverse panel, including representatives from different organisations and UN agencies, discussed ways to approach development and overcome societal issues. The panellists shared personal experiences and perspectives on how to involve young people in decision-making at all levels. Many partners emphasised the importance of treating young people not only as beneficiaries but also as experts and equal partners. To end AIDS as a public health threat, we must work more closely and in partnership with young people.
“Ensuring that young people have a voice in politics and programs is vital to shaping the development process. By creating inclusive environments and involving them from the outset, we empower them to assert their presence, autonomy, and access the information and services they need.”Tinashe Rufurwadzo
Prevention Access Campaign
The 7th Replenishment's Outcomes and the Need for Effective Advocacy for Gender Equality: Engaging Young Women to Action
A side event hosted by The Women For Global Fund and The Global Fund aimed to improve dialogue and knowledge sharing with young women and advocates. The event provided crucial information about the Global Fund's Seventh Replenishment. It was helpful for participants looking to expand their understanding of The Global Fund processes and promote gender-centred action. During the session, panellists discussed community-led initiatives, power imbalances, and barriers for AGYW in accessing donor funding. To change the status quo, civil society organisations must work with donors to address barriers that hinder access to funds and collaborate with women-led organisations to develop solutions that benefit the communities they serve.
Love Alliance at Women Deliver: Countering and Monitoring the Anti-Gender Movement
For far too long, highly organised anti-gender movements have actively sought to undermine the rights of women and the LGBTQI+ community. In addition to providing financial backing, these movements have trained and supported representatives in acquiring authoritative positions within various institutions, including governments and courts. Their ultimate goal is to establish anti-rights practices and norms within these centres of power. These movements not only share a common enemy but also exhibit similar ways of thinking and tactics, as well as a distinct mode of operation.
Love Alliance partners hosted a side event that revealed the well-funded and highly organised nature of the anti-gender movement and how they take advantage of opportunities to create division and exclusion, exacerbating hate and violence and setting back progress towards gender equality. Various networks are driving anti-gender efforts while calling themselves ‘pro-family’ and emboldening conservative political voices and movements in both the Global South and North. The discussions highlighted the need for alliances and solidarity within various social movements that put human rights at the front to have a fighting chance.
HIV is a Feminist Issue
“Feminists and the HIV movement should take affirmative action and join forces to advocate against deeply routed inequalities affecting women and girls in our diversity globally.”Joyce Ouma
Y+ Global
This side event led by Frontline AIDS and Y+ Global dissected the role that colonialism, racism and patriarchy play in hindering women’s access to HIV care. Still, in many African households, and because of sexist power dynamics, a husband holds power over whether their spouse can access essential health services. Similarly, conditions are worse if they are women living with HIV or female sex workers. The feminist movement has not been inclusive in the fight against HIV as it continues to stigmatise women living with HIV and sideline female sex workers and trans women. Feminism means caring about the welfare of all women and girls, everywhere. The event came to an end with a need to amplify the work we are doing as a transnational community, continuing the advocacy for long-term support of the feminist movement.
“Feminism has mostly been hetero-nominative agenda, and it must be unmasked. HIV and homophobia are feminist issues. Feminism has nowhere to hide as the anti-gender movement continues its attack on gender. Our silence is inaction and violence; we are more than vectors of a disease.”Vuyiseka Dubula
Stephen Lewis Foundation