Why does GAIA focus on womens empowerment?
Over the years, we have employed diverse strategies to help communities respond to the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We find that women’s empowerment is one of the most effective ways to combat HIV. When women are educated and financially independent, they do not rely on men. Their independence assists them in negotiating the terms of their marriage and empowers them to decide when and whom to marry and how many children to have. Moreover, women’s empowerment has a ripple effect-as a woman’s status increases her health and the health of her family improves, maternal and child mortality rates decrease, her children are more likely to attend primary and high school, the next generation’s prospects improve, and her country’s economic health is strengthened. As mothers, aunts and sisters make educational and financial gains, millions of young girls look up to them as role modes and boys learn that when women succeed everyone benefits. For more on our women’s empowerment prog
