Projects for women, with women

AIDOS has been working with women in the South of the world for the last 25 years. During this time, we have implemented numerous projects supporting women and their organizations to conquer and protect their rights and improving living conditions for themselves and their families. In addition, this is a contribution to the dynamics of development in the countries involved.

Through its projects, AIDOS ensures the continuity and effectiveness of our efforts to:
defend women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health
continue capacity building
support women’s economic empowerment
provide young women and girls with access to education.

Please see the project description, divided according to area of intervention and country.

Most AIDOS projects, started with funding from institutional donors, continue to function even after that support ends. This is due to training for local staff and our ongoing fundraising to cover running costs.

Sexual and reproductive rights and health

44,000 women a year receive assistance from the six Women’s Health Centers that AIDOS created in partnership with local organizations in Nepal, Jordan, Palestine-Gaza Strip (2), Venezuela and Burkina Faso. In addition, thousands of young men and women benefit from campaigns for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in places are far-flung as Tanzania and Rome.

Capacity building

Training is essential for women’s autonomy, but it is not enough. So, AIDOS also works to develop the overall capacity of women’s organizations to addres problems and challenges, improving their conditions and those of other women. Even after the “project” itself is over.

That is why AIDOS also help set up documentation centers, information and printed material on women’s rights. In addition, it provides training on gender issues in ALL the sectors where it works.It also supports human rights education and training in Tanzania and FGM prevention training in Burkina Faso and the region of Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania.

Economic empowerment

Economic independence is essential for the survival of women and their families, in a word to stay alive. But it is also a basic ingredient of freedom and deliberate choice. For that reason, AIDOS promotes the creation of service centers and/or the development of women’s businesses, as well as job creation centers in Jordan and Syria.

Advocacy

In Italy, AIDOS works to raise awareness of gender issues and the specific needs of women in the area of development cooperation. It uses promotional campaigns, conferences and events, combining media support and direct contacts with political leaders.

Education for girls and teens

This sector is completely self-financed through long-distance adoption, and therefore with private funding.The adoptions provide scholarships for girls and young women in particularly disadvantaged situations. For instance, many of them are:- born in poor, marginalized communities, like the baste (slums) in Calcutta, India- citizens of countries like Afghanistan where education for girls is still a taboo, even if it is no longer illegal.Education for girls and young women means providing an opportunity to exercise the right to study in situations where this right is denied or made difficult because of discrimination.