"The Barcelona Bill of Rights": a declaration from the 14th International AIDS Conference, July 2002.

The following initiative to promote the "The Barcelona Bill of Rights" is a global effort initiated by Women at Barcelona (W@B) and Mujeres Adelante with lead involvement by the International Women's AIDS Caucus of the International AIDS Society and the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS. The Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network proudly supports their actions.

"The Barcelona Bill of Rights" is the joint creation of women living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, researchers, scientists and advocates from all regions and all perspectives. The compilation and drafting of this document was facilitated by the Women at Barcelona/Mujeres Adelante Planning Group, a coalition of individuals committed to advancing the gender and human rights agenda at the International AIDS Conference. Women at Barcelona (W@B) is indebted to the individuals and organizations from around the world who shared their experience and expertise via e-mail and in person to make the Bill of Rights a reality.

With the attention given the "Bill of Rights" by notable figures such as former President Bill Clinton and Graca Machel, it is time to act and make our voices heard. We hope that you will continue to share your experience and reflections after the International AIDS Conference in Barcelona. "The Barcelona Bill of Rights" is just part of a longer process of putting the experience of women and girls on the international agenda, connecting local communities around the world, and mobilizing women to advance gender equity in the face of HIV/AIDS.

W@B will be circulating this document widely in concert with December 1, World AIDS Day 2002. Our goal is to show a broad base of support across professions, issues and regions. Please share this document with colleagues and friends.

Women and HIV/AIDS: The Barcelona Bill of Rights

As we enter the third decade of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, women, especially the young and the poor, are the most affected. Because gender inequality fuels HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS fuels gender inequality, it is imperative that women and girls speak out, set priorities for action and lead the global response to the crisis.

Therefore, women and girls from around the world unite to declare our rights and urge all governments, organizations, agencies, donors, communities and individuals to make our rights a reality.

Women and girls have the right:

* To live with dignity and equality;

* To bodily integrity;

* To health and health care, including treatment;

* To safety, security and freedom from fear of physical and sexual violence and abuse throughout their lives;

* To be free from stigma, discrimination, blame and denial;

* To their human rights regardless of sexual orientation;

* To sexual autonomy and sexual pleasure;

* To equity in their families and intimate partnerships;

* To education and information;

* To economic independence.

These fundamental rights shall include, but not be limited to the right:

* To support and care which meets women's particular needs;

* To access acceptable, affordable and quality comprehensive health care including anti-retroviral therapies;

* To quality mental health care;

* To sexual and reproductive health services, including access to safe abortion without coercion;

* To a broader array of preventive and therapeutic technologies that respond to the needs of all women and girls, regardless of age, HIV status or sexual orientation;

* To access user-friendly and affordable prevention technologies, such as female condoms and microbicides, with skills-building training on negotiation and use;

* To HIV testing after informed consent and protection of the confidentiality of status;

* To choose to disclose status in circumstances of safety and security without the threat of violence, discrimination or stigma;

* To live one's sexuality in safety and with pleasure irrespective of age, HIV status or sexual orientation;

* To choose to be mothers and have children irrespective of HIV status or sexual orientation;

* To safe and healthy motherhood for all, including the safety and health of children;

* To choose marriage, form partnerships or divorce, irrespective of HIV status or sexual orientation;

* To gender equity in education and lifetime education for all;

* To formal and informal sexual education throughout life;

* To information, especially about HIV/AIDS, with an emphasis on women and girls' special vulnerability due to biological differences, gender roles and inequality;

* To food security, safe water, shelter and basic sanitation;

* To employment, equal pay, recognition of all forms of work, including voluntary and non-coerced sex work and compensation for care and support;

* To economic independence, such as to own and inherit property and to access financial resources;

* To freedom of movement and travel irrespective of HIV status;

* To freedom from harmful traditional practices;

* To express religious, cultural and social identities;

* To associate freely and be leaders within religious, social and cultural institutions.

* To lead and participate in all aspects of politics, governance, decision-making, policy development and program implementation.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain

July 11, 2002

For more information or to participate in the campaign, visit the website: www.womenatbarcelona.net or contact:

E. Tyler Crone, MPH

Women at Barcelona/

Mujeres Adelante

Allard K. Lowenstein International

Human Rights Clinic

Yale Law School 

E-mail: [e-mail]

Rachel Yassky, JD

Women at Barcelona/

Mujeres Adelante

New York, New York

E-mail: [e-mail]