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The overall objective of this program is to make a positive contribution towards the economic empowerment of women living with HIV & AIDS and to reduce discrimination and human rights violations against people living with HIV & AIDS in the targeted districts of Salima and Lilongwe. The program recognizes the intersectionality of gender and HIV & AIDS, aiming to address both the economic challenges faced by women living with the virus and the violations of their human rights.
Through capacity building initiatives and awareness-raising activities, the program aims to empower communities with accurate information about HIV & AIDS, dispel myths and misconceptions, and promote a supportive and inclusive environment. Furthermore, by facilitating linkages with stakeholders such as government agencies, financial institutions, and vocational training providers, the program seeks to enhance opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among women living with the virus. In addition, by fostering partnerships and collaboration, the program aims to advocate for the protection of human rights, increase access to justice, and improve the overall well-being of women affected by the virus at the district level.
Overall, a total of 5,874 beneficiaries were reached out in the year 2022 through the broader goal of promoting the economic empowerment and rights of women living with HIV & AIDS. A combination of community capacity building, economic linkages, and collaboration with district structures, the program contributed to the creation of an enabling environment where women can thrive, exercise their rights, and overcome the challenges posed by HIV & AIDS-related discrimination.
Despite registering successes in this project, it also faced some challenges. For instance, the devaluation of the kwacha has affected our work as an institution, such that several commodities are now pegged at a high price and we have to adjust some of the activities, in order to stay within the budget. The women that we support have also been affected by these high prices of commodities, such that their businesses are not making as much profit as they anticipated.
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