It is with great pleasure that, on behalf of the Organising Committee, we welcome you to the 10th International Conference on AIDS due to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Kigali Intercontinental Hotel from July 25^th to 28^th, 2005.

For two decades now, the whole world work assiduously for the purpose of stopping the spread and minimise the impact of this killing disease. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that some darkness about the HIV still remains and that the Organisations fighting AIDS endeavour to fight but with insufficient means for most of them.

Women for around the world keep bearing the heaviest load from this scourge while they are not equipped enough to carry out prevention, care and treatment actions.

The Tenth International Conference of SWAA focussed on "Empowering Women for Prevention, Care and Treatment of Hiv/Aids: Strategies for success" comes at the appointed time. This conference is not only an occasion for improving knowledge on HIV/AIDS, but also a precious opportunity for technically empowering women, especially members of SWAA.

We hope that the Conference agenda will enable each to take the right position towards this disease and find answers to one's multiple questions.

We avail of this opportunity to welcome all of you in RWANDA, the Country of a Thousand Hills. We wish from the inner most of our heart that you enjoy your stay here. Our strong desire is that you enable the Conference to be provided with strategies which will guide both the present and the future generation, especially enabling women for adequate prevention and care for people both affected and infected with HIV/AIDS, and for fighting this disease threatening the inhabitants of our planet, the EARTH.
Mrs. KIBIRITI Christine,
The Organising Chairperson of the 10th SWAA Conference