About us

The National Federation of Women Living with HIV & AIDS (NFWLHA) is a network of organizations and individuals working for HIV-infected and affected women, as well as their children. It is the first WLHIV lead network in Nepal. NFWLHA, originally known as the National Federation of Women Living with HIV (NFWLHA), was officially founded in 2007 after receiving DAO registration in 2006. NFWLHA has extended its networking to 30 districts, covering  all 7  provinces, with over 30 member organizations -all led by Women living with HIV (WLHIV), with more than 51% WLHIV in executive board and general members. This situation can be argued as a gender biased approach too, but in a situation where WLHIV has been intensely pushed back in accessing services and resources; there was an urgent need for affirmative steps to bring them forward.

 

We work to increase member organizations' capabilities so they can better support women living with HIV and AIDS (WLHA). Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS in Nepal because of a lack of education, subordinate social status, and difficulty negotiating condom use. All too often infected women unknowingly transmit the virus to their babies in utero. HIV and AIDS infected and affected families are also victims of stigmatization and discrimination and often violence. Consequently, many women living with HIV and AIDS (WLHA) hide their health status and fail to access timely health services. Because they feel vulnerable to community opinion, their health status and/or that of their infected family members deteriorate.

NFWLHA is a federation that directly belongs to HIV infected and affected communities and works particularly for women and girls living with HIV/AIDS to develop the capacity of individual self-identifying women and girls living with HIV as well as organizational development. It unites and organizes local groups to educate and sensitize communities about the causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS; generate awareness about precautions to take and to avoid becoming infected; and advocating for just society where infected and affected women and their children enjoys their socio-economic and cultural rights and live their dignified life without fear of stigma and discrimination.

VISION

A just and equitable society where HIV infected and affected women, children and youths/girls live productive, empowered, and dignified lives and free from gender inequalities, social stigma and discrimination.

MISSION

Works to ensure the dignified life of women and girls living with HIV through promoting and protecting their social, economic, cultural, political and civil rights.

GOAL

To empower women and girls living with HIV to claim and realize their full rights inclusive of sexual, reproductive, social, legal, economic and health rights.

OBJECTIVE

Plans and polices are favorable to equitable access and control to best quality health and social services, focusing on social jus­tice, rights and meaningful involvement.

Achievements:

1. Women are united to fight against HIV/AIDS.
2. Red Ribbon award 2008
3. Short documentary film Award 2009.
4. Compliments award by SAARC TB & HIV/AIDS Center
5. NFWLHA has initiated “GAATHA”- the untold stories movement focusing on providing a platform for Youths Living with HIV (YLHIV) and Children Living with HIV (CLHIV) as well as youth and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
6.  Member of International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICWAP).

Results: /Output

Meaningful engagement of WLHA in the national response to HIV and broader women movement so as to influence the decision-making process that affects their life

Strategic Priorities Area of Intervention

1. Capacity building of Member Organizations (MOs) and Networks
2. Research and knowledge management for evidence-based policy advocacy
3. Community System Strengthening
4. Strategic Advocacy to Access to easy and affordable HIV related health services

Guiding Principle

1. Gender Equality and Human Rights
2. Equitable access to comprehensive and quality HIV services
3. Centrality of W/GLHIV
4. Evidence informed planning and programming
5. Policy influencing and evidence-based advocacy)
6. Participatory decision making
7. Women and youth leadership
8. Partnership/membership, collaboration and networking
9. Right to privacy and confidentiality respected and maintained
10. Self-determination; and understanding our issues using a women’s rights and feminist lens and ensuring feminist principles govern how we operate
11. Acknowledge, accept and represent the diversity of women living with HIV
12. Critical Reflection and Commitment
13. Equitable distribution of responsibilities
14. Commitment to women’s rights
15. Respect for every person’s dignity
16. Respecting Individuality