Regional training priorities of women working in HIV/AIDS

Background: The world has never had a more pressing need to involve women in the fight against AIDS. In the program “Advancing Women's Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action”, CEDPA conducted a needs assessment to identify the training needs of women working in HIV/AIDS globally. The survey collected data on leadership, management and specific technical skills. The sample comprised 61 HIV/AIDS organizations.

This assessment establishes a baseline for a program designed to develop a cadre of women leaders to implement responsive HIV/AIDS programs and advocate for effective HIV/AIDS policies and funding to address the unique impact of AIDS on women and girls.

Objectives of the assessment: Identify and prioritize training needs of women in HIV/AIDS NGOs and networks working in Africa, Asia and Latin America in: 1) program management; 2) leadership; 3) advocacy and policy; and 4) HIV/AIDS technical areas.

This presentation will discuss the results of a survey administered to 61 organizations in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The sample targeted organizations which employ women as staff or volunteers. Data on priority training needs are analyzed by region, size of organization, number of staff or volunteers, number living openly with HIV, beneficiaries and mission. Respondents had overlapping programmatic foci in HIV/AIDS prevention (84%), care and support (80%) and treatment (54%). Preliminary analysis shows priority training needs in such areas as policy analysis and harm reduction. Further analysis will examine regional differences to inform curriculum development for regional and country level workshops on women's leadership in HIV/AIDS.