More than 20 AHF country teams worldwide held creative and impactful International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022 events under the #BreakTheBias theme! The commemorations celebrated women and fought the stereotypes, stigmas, and discrimination that keep women and girls from succeeding.
Check out all the fun photos below and click the country links to see more!
Cambodia | China | Indonesia | Nepal | Vietnam
#BreakTheBias workshops with AHF partners set the scene for IWD in China, where one attendee remarked…
“I never thought anyone would ask me what biases I had in my life. I’ve only been told to study and provide for myself. I’d never reflected on the fact that I am equal in society, have the right to be treated well and kind, and should be able to speak up for myself. It was heartwarming when they asked about me and how I felt. I am grateful to be able to participate in this workshop, and I certainly want to have it as much as possible in the future.”
Nearly 80 HIV-affected Cambodian girls attended an IWD event that included inspirational speeches by girl leaders. AHF and an Indonesian partner organized educational sessions for 25 sex workers and 50 women from a local village. Partner hospitals hosted events in eight locations in Nepal, with interactive discussions on gender and health rights.
AHF teamed up with partners for multiple IWD events in the Philippines, which included HIV education and testing at 10 sites, including women inmates at a local jail. IWD advocates in Vietnam hosted more than 600 minority students and teachers from a local high school.
Eswatini | Kenya | Nigeria | Sierra Leone
Nearly 60 adolescent girls and young women in Eswatini attended a mentorship session on career paths, and 30 mentor mothers from state-wide areas in Nigeria helped bridge advocacy gaps in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Two IWD events in as many cities in Kenya hosted 400 women and 150 adolescent girls who accessed HIV testing and information on contraceptives and COVID-19 vaccines. In Sierra Leone, advocates got creative with a vivid display of women’s desperation for equality, including a sponsored march and conference with 150 attendees.
Lesotho | Rwanda | Uganda | Zambia
Young women and men met in Lesotho on IWD to discuss harmful stereotypes that limit women’s opportunities and how men can better support young women and girls. In Rwanda, 25 Girls Act members participated in a “Break the Bias” debate led by a local television journalist.
Zambia organized a wellness event reminding IWD participants that change began when women were empowered to take charge of their lives by taking control of their health. AHF Uganda and partners provided health services to over 450 people from an impoverished local area.
Argentina | Chile | Colombia | Guatemala | Peru | Estonia
Linda Clinic hosted IWD in Estonia, where HIV-positive women who gave birth last year were invited to attend a workshop, see a doctor, and get parenting and health information. Advocates in Guatemala and Argentina participated in colorful and inspirational demonstrations through city streets.
Teams also took to the streets in popular Dominican neighborhoods for condom distribution. Advocates in Chile’s capital visited the main city square to distribute information on female condoms and HIV testing. AHF Peru joined the Health Ministry for HIV and uterine cancer awareness campaigns for vulnerable populations in five regions. IWD in Colombia featured HIV testing tents at strategic points across five cities.
In addition to our global events, we also featured successful and empowered women from each of our Bureaus. Click their photos above to learn more about their inspiring stories!
