Serving Women at AHF

Serving Women at AHF

Turning the spotlight on how AHF provides care and advocacy for women

GUEST BIOS:

• Cyan Cardy is the Associate Director for Global Advocacy Operations at AHF. She’s been with AHF for five years.
• Sandyann Munroe is the Associate Director of HR for the Southern Bureau and National President of Spark United. She’s been with AHF for seven years
• Cassandra Esperat is an SRT pharmacist of four years with AHF and the Director of Advocacy for Spark United.
• Oluwakemi (Kemi) Gbadamosi is the Global Director for Policy, Advocacy, and Marketing for Africa Bureau.

CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:

[2:42] - About Girls Act

A response to changing trends

Girls Act was launched in 2006 in response to higher rates of new HIV infections amongst young women and girls. In Africa, the statistics have risen even higher. 

Girls Act creates opportunities for girls to live healthier lives and to be able to thrive in their environments. It doesn’t only focus on girls living with HIV, but in fact is about prevention and ensuring everyone has the tools and support they need to stay healthy, reduce unplanned pregnancies, stay in school, or stay in care if they are infected.

[5:48] - About Spark

Another women-centric AHF affinity group

Spark is an affinity group of AHF launched when people within the organization determined their should be a group dedicated to assisting women with overall health and wellbeing — all women and girls, all ages, everywhere. 

Key goals of Spark include providing access, resources, and knowledge that’s relevant to the current climate: voting power, menstrual poverty, equity and equality, and personal initiatives launched by Spark members.

[9:33] - The Four Pillars of Girls Act

A foundation to build from when serving girls globally

The four pillars of the girls act are knowledge, mentorship & scholarship, agency, and psychosocial support.

Knowledge relates to skills building and information, reducing power imbalances due to girls simply not having access to education or financial independence.

Mentorship provides support and role modeling so that girls can empower each other, as well as scholarship to help bring education to more girls worldwide.

Agency relates to empowering girls to use their own voices and engage decision makers themselves through leadership, communication, and advocacy training.

Finally, psychosocial support provides strength for girls living with HIV or trying to thrive in challenging circumstances.

[17:18] - The Importance of Menstrual Health and Equality

One of Spark’s central missions explained

One in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss as much as 20% of their school year due to their periods. In addition to giving out sanitary pads so that girls can function better with less disruption while on their periods, Spark is teaching girls how to speak about their body, speak with their peers and family, and end the stigma — including among boys in school — so they and everyone around them can see their periods as natural and normal.

[24:25] - Get Involved with Spark and Girls Act

How you can contribute

The quickest way to get involved and informed on Spark’s mission is to follow them on Instagram (@sparkthe_convo) or send a DM. You can also visit the Spark website at www.sparkunited.org, sign up for a newsletter, and fill out a brief contact form. You’ll usually be contacted within 24 hours about how you can get involved.

To get involved with Girls Act, either message the Instagram (@girlsactinternational) or connect with the country program coordinator or program manager for Girl’s Act.

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