Why ATHENA

The ATHENA Network was created to advance gender equity and human rights in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Because gender inequity fuels HIV and HIV fuels gender inequity, it is imperative that women and girls – particularly those living with HIV – speak out, set priorities for action, and lead the response. ATHENA builds from a shared history of advocacy around International AIDS Conferences. The Barcelona Bill of Rights, promulgated by partners at the 2002 International AIDS Conference, is our framework for action.

ATHENA’s mission is to:

• Advance the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of women’s and girls’ human rights, comprehensively and inclusively, as a fundamental component of the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Ensure gender equity in HIV-related research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and the development interventions based on a gendered analysis.
• Promote and facilitate the leadership of women and girls, especially those living with HIV, in all aspects of the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Bridge the communities around the world that are addressing gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV.
• Promote and facilitate the leadership of women and girls, especially those living with HIV, in all aspects of the response to HIV and AIDS.
• Bridge the communities around the world that are addressing gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV.

In advancing this mission, ATHENA aims to:

• Address neglected or contentious human rights issues such as the sexual and reproductive rights of women living with HIV.
• Link the global with the local in meaningful ways.
• Link research, policy, advocacy, and practice.
• Share information and experiences in order to develop common agendas.
• Build alliances across movements, sectors, and regions.
• Develop and support the leadership capacity of women and girls, especially those living with HIV.
• Enable individuals and organizations to be agents of change.

As ATHENA Chair MariJo Vazquez (previous Chair of ICW) has remarked – “We empower others by sitting at the table together.” We hope you will join us in our effort to advance gender equity and human rights in the global response to HIV and AIDS. Mujeres adelante!