Women's rights – HIV stigmafighter

Our own power

24 April 202624 April 2026hivstigmafighter

What is your desire? That question guided our Amani weekend at Sint Lioba Monastery, a space where we could finally breathe, connect, and listen to our inner voices.

We all carry dreams and desires, but we also carry the whispers that try to stop us: “No, you can’t”, “you don’t deserve happiness” or “don’t even try.” These voices are not ours. They are fear. And fear grows when we stay silent.

Sometimes we need a little push to share our dreams and desires. At the Amani weekend, we chose connection, building trust, sharing our stories, and discovering how much strength we carry. Even after so many challenges, none of us has given up.

Our mental health matters. To share dreams, we must feel safe, grounded, and alive.

We asked ourselves: What makes me feel alive? What do I desire beyond what society, family, or partners expect from me? The answer was simple: becoming the best version of ourselves.

One exercise taught me this deeply. We assumed the formation of a group of geese, taking turns leading and supporting. It reminded us that power is not meant to be held alone. While in real life some people want to keep power for themselves, we learnt that true strength is shared and we need to help each other.

Another exercise asked us to walk in nature and find something that spoke to us. I found a stone between the grass and flowers. I picked it up and noticed it was solid, strong, and unshaken by rain, snow, or burning sun. It reminded me of my own journey: war, hardship, migration, survival… yet still colorful, warm, sharp, proud, and standing strong. My group saw the same in my drawing of this stone. We were connected, even with different backgrounds.

I am grateful for the Amani women. I felt safe enough to share my story. About healthy living, growing positively, and reclaiming joy. Walking on the beach, dancing at sunrise… these were dreams from my dreamtree, and I finally lived them.

Now it’s time to pick my next leaf of my dreamtree: Vietnam. A place my husband worked six months after our wedding, twenty‑three years ago. It took time, but I will finally see Saigon.

We all have inner power. We just need the courage and community to use it.

Peace,

Eliane

(pictures courtesy of Anna Moro)

Through their eyes: Young women shaping their future

30 January 202625 March 2026hivstigmafighter

My lovely people, I hope you have all been well. As many of you know, I spent the last three months of 2025 in Burundi, sharing precious time with my family and reconnecting with the communities that shaped me. One of the most meaningful moments of my stay was spending time with my sisters from BAWA (Burundian Association for Women in Action), a grassroots organisation I introduced to you in an earlier blog.

BAWA is a collective of vulnerable women, and among them are young women who urgently need practical skills to build independence and a brighter future. In Burundi, photography is not just a hobby, it is a real profession. With the right skills, a young woman can earn an income, support her family, and take control of her life. That is why HIV Stigmafighter chose to invest in strengthening their capacity in photography, design, and video editing. We believe in the potential of the women behind BAWA!

Creating memories on the streets of Bujumbura

Burundi is full of moments that require a photographer: weddings, birthdays, funerals, school graduations, church gatherings, community celebrations. There is always someone who needs a camera. I had the privilege of joining the women of BAWA during one of their street‑photography sessions. It was incredibly hot, but watching them enjoy that day and grow in confidence and creativity touched me deeply and made every moment unforgettable.

When I see these young BAWA women behind their cameras, I see more than learners. I see emerging storytellers, future professionals, and young leaders. These new skills are opening their eyes to new possibilities, serving as a pathway to dignity, income, and self‑determination. And as you can read from their stories, they are already putting their skills to use: documenting their journey as a grassroots organisation, capturing and sharing local events, and seeing opportunities to earn small incomes to help them shape their own futures.

Here are some impressions of the capacity strengthening event and the beautiful pictures captured by our 5 young talents:

I am so proud that HIV Stigmafighter helped make this possible. By offering resources, encouragement, and unwavering belief in their strength, we opened a door. And these young women are walking through it with strength and pride.

Thank you BAWA, and a very special thank you to our five talents: Aisha, Jessica, Jeanne d’Arc, Lyse Bella, and Esperance

Peace,

Eliane

Strike a pose for a gender equal world

7 March 20218 March 2025hivstigmafighter

To my beloved women worldwide,

Why do many of us still underestimate the value we bring, why do we struggle to embrace our unique feminine leadership strengths, and why do we remain silent and let our rights be violated?

You are born with superpowers, let your abilities and achievements speak for themselves. Stand up now, start owning our power. Challenge other women when they disempower themselves, call out bias, and question stereotypes.

Your voice matters, celebrate women’s achievements. So, strike the #ChooseToChallenge POSE during International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021 and help us to forge an inclusive world!

Peace, Eliane