The HIV/AIDS Fund

Available research and evidence affirms that there are social, cultural and economic factors which exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection in Africa. This takes place within a context of insufficient political will and scarce resources to address the gendered dimensions of the pandemic. In establishing this special initiative as part of our grant-making portfolio, AWDF has two goals in mind:

• The promotion of a culture of awareness, compassion and responsibility around HIV/AIDS issues, particularly where they affect women and girls in Africa
• The establishment of a firm link between gender inequality, the low status of women and girls, and its implications for the extreme vulnerability of women.

The HIV/AIDS Fund is meant to complement existing resources available to African women’s organisations working on these issues, and to increase access for those who are currently unable to carry out effective programs due to lack of funding. We will prioritise the needs of small-medium sized organisations with budgets not in excess of U$150,000, though we will show some flexibility and address the needs of larger organisations who are doing work that is difficult to fund. The Fund will provide grants to women’s organisations/projects working on the following issues:

Enhancing the status of women and girls and protecting their rights

• Protecting women’s rights to own and inherit property and land.
• Programs to combat harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, widowhood rights, child marriage, etc.
• Promoting a culture of non-tolerance to all forms of violence against women.
• Harmonization of national laws and constitutions in line with regional and international commitments and standards to avoid inconsistencies.
• Eradication of discrimination and violations of women's human rights through legal and policy reform.

Creating opportunities for women and girls to make empowering choices.

• Economic empowerment and skills building programs to lift women out of dire poverty and break the cycle of vulnerability.
• Leadership development programs for women in communities to give them more access to decision-making.
• Capacity building to strengthen women’s organisations working on HIV/AIDS issues in order to make them more visible, better resourced and more effective.

Women’s needs and circumstances in prevention, treatment, support and community care

• Support for groups of women living with HIV/AIDS
• Advocacy and campaigning for gender sensitive treatment access and health care delivery systems.
• Home based care and all forms of support necessary to ensure women’s dignity and well-being.
• Treatment literacy programs for HIV infected women
• Support for orphans, particularly young children heads of households
• Support for voluntary testing and counselling
• Anti-stigma campaigns
• Targeting young women and young men in tertiary institutions
• Adoption counselling

The HIV/AIDS Fund is for the following target groups:

Local, national, or regional African women’s organisations, from any part of Africa. Priority will be given to those organisations already working in the areas mentioned above, and to communities of women living with HIV/AIDS.

Frequency of grant-making:

Applications to the HIV/AIDS Fund can be sent in at any time. Please allow three-four months for a response.

Size of grants

Organisations can apply for grants ranging from $1000 - $25,000. AWDF might occasionally request for proposals for larger amounts.

What types of grants do we support?

AWDF will give grants for projects related to any of the thematic areas specified above. We expect applicants to build in relevant and reasonable running/core costs into their project proposals.

We will give grants for capital costs such as purchase of computers, printers and photocopiers.

How to apply

Interested organizations should send in their proposals to the AWDF secretariat in Accra, Ghana using the grant application guidelines. Applications can be sent in English, French, or Portuguese, by e-mail, fax or post. Please note that whilst we accept applications by e-mail and fax, we still expect a hard copy. For grant application guidelines, please contact:

The Grants Administrator
African Women’s Development Fund
25 Yiyiwa Street, Achimota Forest, Accra, Ghana
PMB CT89 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
Tel: 00233 21 780476
Tel/Fax: 00233 21 782502
Email: awdf@awdf.org, grants@awdf.org
Website: www.awdf.org