Are you a woman living with HIV and living in a country within Eastern Africa? Would you like to be a Regional representative to the ICW’s International Steering Committee (ISC)?

Terms of Reference for the Election of ICWEA Representatives to the International Steering Committee (ISC)

Background

The International community of women living with HIV & AIDS Eastern Africa (ICWEA) is a regional network of women living with HIV/AIDS established in February 2005, registered as an International Non-governmental organisation (INGO).  The Secretariat is based in Uganda – Kampala.  Operations have mainly developed so far in Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda and plans are underway to bring on board all other countries in the region. The main activity of the network is advocacy to improve the lives of women living with HIV. The specific thematic areas are: sexual and reproductive rights, access to care treatment and support, freedom from violence (violence against women) and meaningful involvement of women living with HIV/AIDS.

Our History ICW is the only International network run by and for women living with HIV. It was established in 1992 at the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam by 52 women living with HIV from all over the world that had attended this Conference.  At that time,  there were few  treatment services  available for women living with HIV and a desperate desire for support, information and need to influence and input into policy development. In 2003 the first International Strategic Plan was developed prioritising for the network to get closer to its membership leading to the formation of ICW Southern Africa in 2004 and ICW Eastern Africa (ICWEA) in 2005. Since then, many more regions have formed.   ICWEA has since then established its governance structure in 2007, developed a regional strategic plan and confirmed its registration in 2008 and its constitution was written and in 2009, the same year ICWEA was granted autonomy.  We are proud to be affiliated to this global network of women living with HIV and the regional representation at the International Steering Committee (ISC), the highest governance body of ICW Global is of great importance.

ICW Eastern Africa is looking for a woman living with HIV who has the skills and knowledge to represent the region at the International Steering Committee (ISC).  What is the International Steering Committee (ISC)? The International Steering Committee (ISC) has the authority and responsibility to lead and guide the organization at global level to ensure it fulfills its mission, ensure its survival and permanent development.  Each region of the world has representatives on the ISC, who are elected by ICW members in that region. ISC members serve for three years and the post is a voluntary role.  Our region will be represented by one ISC representative.  The alternate to this position will be decided and agreed by the Regional Board when the elections finally happen by end of November 2012. Am I eligible to stand for election as an ISC member? To stand for election to represent ICWEA to the ISC you must:

• Be a woman living with HIV, living in any country within Eastern Africa

•Be an ICW member. If you are not already a member, please complete the membership form enclosed. (Membership is free)

• Be openly living with HIV and open about your HIV positive status

• Be over 18 years of age

• Have a good understanding of English language (this is not to limit anybody from participating but we are cognizant that the representative shall be representing the entire region at the highest policy organ of ICW and the ability and capacity to engage in a language that is commonly used is very important for the region) Criteria

We are looking for a person with the following minimal characteristics/qualities:

a) Demonstrated commitment to the work of ICWEA  and its members

b) Be willing to represent the organization to the ISC and public and to speak strongly and tactfully in support of ICWEA

c) Be able and committed to participating in meetings, events and other for a as shall be required by the ISC and the Regional board

d) Have good judgment, and solid grounding

e) Skills –ICWEA requires a representative that:  Understands issues of women and girls in the region;

•  Has an understanding of gender and how it impacts on women living with HIV in the region;
•  Has an understanding of global and regional processes and how these impact on women in the region differently;
• Has an understanding of the current policy, programmatic and funding dynamics at Global and regional level and;
• Has an understanding of how HIV affects women differently including young women living with HIV, women living with HIV & disability, sex workers and LGBTI;
• Demonstrated capacity of ensuring that these issues are brought on the ISC agenda

f) The representatives must have regular access to internet and willing to participate in meetings – face to face and through teleconferences

g) Willing and able to commit time to this role voluntarily

How do I put myself forward for election?

If you are interested in in this position of the International Steering Committee (ISC) Representative for ICW Eastern Africa, please send your application to the following stating why you think you are the best person to represent the region to the ISC.  In your application also ensure that you respond to the above set of criteria.  All applications must be received by 31st October 2012.  Once we have all the applications, they will be circulated to the members through ICW list serve and through all other emails that we have and ask members from the region to cast their votes.  Members shall have up to November 7th November 2012 to have cast their vote and all the votes shall be counted and a member with the highest number of votes will be declared a regional representative to the ISC.

All applications should be sent to:   Lillian Mworeko – Uganda   (Secretariat) – lmworeko@icwea.org Dorothy Onyango – Kenya (Founder member & board member) – onyango_dorothy@yahoo.com Mpendwa Abinery – Tanzania (Chairperson Board) – mpendwac@yahoo.com Viviane Furaha – Rwanda (Secretary to the board) – fkvivi@yahoo.fr Devote Barajenguye – Burundi (Board member) – baradevote@yahoo.fr;

We wish you all the best. Secretariat