Zimbabwe, 24-25 May 2012: High-Level Meeting of the GlobalPOWER Women Network AfricaMedia advisory What: High-Level Mmeeting of the GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa When: 24-25 May 2012 Where: Harare International Conference Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe Why: More women than men in Africa are living with HIV. In 2010, women accounted for 59% of people living with HIV on the continent, with young women, aged 15 to 24, being at particular risk and in some countries up to six times more likely to be infected than young men of the same age. In 2010, an estimated 390 000 children under 15 years were newly infected with HIV globally—of that total, 350 000 were in Africa. More than half of all maternal deaths are estimated to occur in Africa, with an average maternal mortality ratio of 620 per 100 000 live births—a significant proportion by AIDS-related causes. These strikingly high figures are attributed to multiple socio-economic and cultural factors, including gender inequalities and gender based-violence, which exacerbate the risk of HIV infection among women and girls. Against this backdrop, the GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa has organised a high-level meeting to generate action for women’s empowerment and the advancement of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of women and girls. The outcome of the meeting will be a “Harare Call to Action” to reaffirm the GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa’s commitment to the key issues related to women and girls. After the meeting, the Call to Action will be tabled at the AU Heads of State Summit in Lilongwe, Malawi. Who:
For journalist registration, please email Ingrid Kahari at ingridkahari@yahoo.com by 21 May 2012. For more information, visit http://www.globalpowerwomennetworkafrica.org Contact GlobalPOWER| Addelis Sibutha | tel. +263 4 701 617 | addelis@yahoo.com African Union | Dr. Janet Byaruhanga | tel: +251 11 551 77 00 | byaruhangaj@africa-union.org UNAIDS Harare | Tawanda Chisango | tel. + 263 4 338 836-41 | chisangot@unaids.org UNAIDS Johannesburg | Zenawit Melesse | tel. +27 11 519 6931 | melessez@unadis.org GlobalPOWER® Women Network Africa is a partnership of women elected and appointed representatives which seeks to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa promotes discussion of accelerated action for women empowerment and gender equality in the area of HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, in Africa, focusing on the vulnerability of girls and young women. Learn more at: www.globalpowerwomennetworkafrica.org African Union The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/ UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more at: http://www.unaids.org/en/
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