It is with great pleasure I welcome you to our new website.

National Network of Positive Women Ethiopians (NNPWE) was established in November 2005 as an assocation and become a network in April 2007.

We have, published our strategic plan [2007-2009] ,established our office on the Wollo Sefer-Gotera road, assocations launched many Associations and recruited new and highly qualified staff who are working hard for our continued success. All of this has only been possible because of the technical and financial assistance provided by our partners and other committed individuals. Special mention needs to made of support given by AAE,CRDA,UNAIDS,HAPCO and Engender Health Ethiopia. Our Founding members also deserve my sincere appreciation for their commitment and determination which has made the dream of NNPWE come true.

A half day panel discussion was conducted on May 18/2011, during the Global Action Week for AIDS. Wro Mekedes Yelma National coordinator of National Network of Positive women Ethiopians (NNPWE) opened welcoming all participants. She has mentioned the vulnerability of women victims of violence exposure to HIV is very high and attention must be given by governmental and non-governmental organizations by creating awareness at all level. The objective of the panel discussion was to create awareness on violence against women to parliamentarians, and to launch a case book on Violence against women all over Ethiopia. Yaletesemu demtsoch (Unheard voices),was presented and testimony was given by one of the victim who was raped by her step father. It was mentioned that the attitude of the society on violence against women and children that leads to the exposure of women to HIV needs intervention.

Parliamentarians

Wro Tenaye Zelke from Women and children affair office mentioned about the gender based violence that exists currently and that the Woreda level Women bureaus, and other related departments have been working on gender issues to bring affirmative actions. Additionally Wro Kuribachew Kelel from South Wollo Professional Law bureau stated that many women are victims of violence’s due to their economical dependency and empowerment of women financially, should be given more focus. The women parlmentarian also added the need to work more on violence against women.

Wro Kuribachew Kelke from south Wollo professional Law Bureau.

The second agenda was on PMTCT service and many HIV positive women could not access the service due to long distance and unavailability of full package services in the near by health centers.Wro Betelhem Asheber from Negem Lela Ken new positive women association leader shared her own experience on PMTCT service and she has created awareness to the larger public ,but still the uptake is low and recommended the availability of free OI medications ,and mobile ART provision.

Left to right Wro Betelhem Asheber from Negem Lela Ken and Ato Derje Alemayhu from NP+

All women committee Parliamentarians, HIV positive women association leaders, regional Women and children affair representatives, NEP+, and Action Aid Ethiopia participated in the panel discussion. Finally Wro Mekdes Yelma wrapped up the workshop recommending the need to strengthen awareness provision on Gender to the larger public and creating better access of ART in all Health posts.

On March 28/2011, Sunday afternoon, Mr. Michel Sidibe UNAIDS executive director and under-secretary general of the United Nations paid a visit to the National Network of Positive Women Ethiopians (NNPWE) office, in Addis Ababa. The objective of the visit was to learn about NNPWE’s achievements, challenges and as the only national network of HIV positive women, to see what UNAIDS contribution can be for NNPWE existence. Participants from UNIDS country office, Action Aid Ethiopia, Network of Networks of Positive People in Ethiopia (NEP+), NNPWE staff members and NNPWE board of directors were present.

Mr. Michel Sidibe visit at NNPWE office with Partners.

A brief presentation on the activities of the network up to date and the challenges faced were presented by the Program Manager of NNPWE, Mrs. Hereni Melesse and Mrs. Mekdes Yilma, the National Coordinator of NNPWE, respectively. During the discussion, different issues that are cross cutting were raised; issues like PMTCT and MCH services and the efforts that is being made by UNAIDS to fill the gaps that are being seen, side effects of ART, Opportunistic infections and access for second line ART regime in Ethiopia.

Mr. Michel Sidibe Discussed different isuess with partners.

Finally Mr. Michel Sidibe expressed his gratitude and UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr. Warren Naamara, expressed his willingness and necessity to fit the network in to the work that UNAIDS is doing. Mr. Michel Sidibe and the participants were welcomed by the National Coordinator and the Staff members of NNPWE in a traditional manner with a coffee ceremony.

Traditional coffee ceremony during the visit

TV spot message on ART