In 2003, the Africa leadership Forum with its renewed mandate to develop capacities of women, men and youth in critical areas of development, convened the 5th Annual Africa Women’s Forum with the theme “Leadership Challenges of Women in the Campaign against HIV/AIDS”

The meeting held in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Action-Aid Africa office, United Nations Agency for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the governments HIV/AIDS campaign agency, the National Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (NACA). The conference drew an array of distinguished and accomplished professionals, men and women from the civil society, Government, representatives of international organisations across the various regions of Africa. The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo, formally declared the conference opened.

The conference convened to elaborate on the need to expand the space of engagement of women within policy framework that has been adopted to contain the continued spread of HIV/AIDS. It was also convened to initiate and develop strategies that will assist women from across the continent to adequately to take the leadership required in curbing the pandemic among women and girls.

The Conference among others:

1.       Provided a forum for dialogue, consensus building and networking leadership roles and responsibilities of women in curbing the pandemic HIV/AIDS

2.       Deepened the understanding of the participants about factors that inhibit or promote women’s leadership in HIV/AIDS pandemic.

3.       Came up with strategies required to strengthen women’s capabilities in promoting effective gender sensitive responses to HIV/AIDS.

4.       Carried out a review of existing regional and national mechanisms on HIV/AIDS with regards to the gender balance and content.

5.       Initiated a process of building and sustaining a strong regional network of critical women organizations and individuals on HIV/AIDS and also came out with specific follow-up activities and projects that can further promote and consolidate the role of women in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the consultations, participants were of the view that the ultimate objective of the Leadership Challenges for African Women in the Campaign Against HIV/AIDS is to move the concerns of women and women’s’ organisations out of its current peripheral position to one that effectively influences the agenda of African States. (>>> see summary report and pictures gallery)