Gender Equality Rwanda Project #12523

Empowering 500 Rwandan women living with HIV/AIDS

by Human Rights First Rwanda Association

Project Report | Apr 22, 2025
Justice and Joy - Legal Aid as a Tool for Empowerment

By Busingye Mbabazi | Project Leader

Free Community legal aid &Human rights clinics

Women living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda continue to face deep-rooted discrimination, particularly in housing, employment, and property inheritance. Many endure stigma from landlords, are excluded from family assets, and are victims of gender-based violence. These injustices not only strip women of their rights but also rob them of dignity, safety, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

To address this, Human Rights First Rwanda Association organized a series of free legal aid clinics across Kamonyi District, reaching out to HIV-positive women who had nowhere else to turn. Our trained legal professionals provided:

One-on-one legal consultations
Rights awareness sessions tailored to women living with HIV
Mediation support to prevent litigation and restore family trust

Thanks to this initiative, several landmark outcomes were achieved:

Women successfully reclaimed land unlawfully taken from them
Mothers regained custody of their children through legal support
Families were protected from unlawful eviction through mediation and advocacy

We also invested in sustainability by training 20 HIV-positive women as paralegals over a 3-day intensive course. These women now serve as community rights defenders, capable of providing legal guidance, documenting violations, and accompanying victims to relevant services.

Impact Scorecard:

36 cases related to inheritance, property disputes, and violence against women and girls living with HIV were resolved
Participants were educated on national policies and laws protecting their rights under Rwandan and international human rights frameworks

With your continued support, more HIV/AIDS-affected women in Kamonyi District can break the cycle of stigma, discrimination, and vulnerability. Your partnership enables them to live lives rooted in justice, free from marginalization, and filled with dignity. Let’s ensure that no woman living with HIV is left behind in the fight for equality and empowerment.

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Dec 26, 2024
Empowering Women Living with HIV/AIDS through Goat Rearing

By Mbabazi Busingye | Project Leader

Aug 28, 2024
Women With HIV/AIDS receiving lessons on TB and Skills learning

By Mbabazi Busingye | Project Leader

Women and girls who are HIV positive and living in poverty face unique and compounded challenges. The intersection of their health status and economic conditions exacerbates their vulnerability. HIV/AIDS is a serious health issue, but the risk increases significantly when combined with active tuberculosis (TB). TB, an opportunistic infection, can be fatal for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

These women also face significant social stigma and discrimination, which can lead to isolation, reduced access to healthcare services, and diminished social support. The interplay of health risks and stigma creates a particularly difficult environment for managing both HIV and TB.

Moreover, the economic impact is severe. Women in impoverished communities who are both HIV positive and at risk of TB often experience heightened stress due to the erosion of social and economic support systems. These systems, critical to their families and communities, frequently deteriorate under the strain of health and economic challenges.

To address these issues, a three-day workshop was organized with a focus on tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment. The workshop aimed to provide essential technical information on TB and HIV/AIDS while also offering strategies for personal empowerment.

Acknowledging the severe health risks and social stigma faced by this group, the workshop emphasized the dual impact of HIV and active TB, which significantly increases the risk of fatal outcomes. Participants, often central to weakening social and economic support systems in impoverished communities, experience considerable stress.

By integrating technical health education with empowerment strategies, the workshop aimed to improve participants' health management and resilience against stigma. This approach was designed to enhance their ability to contribute positively to their communities despite the substantial challenges they face.

Your continued support is vital in empowering women and girls living with HIV/AIDS, enabling them to enhance their learning and skills for improved health outcomes and greater community involvement.

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