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HIV Women's Project

Support for HIV Positive Women
The project provides confidential support, information, referral and advocacy. Women value highly the opportunity to talk with another HIV positive woman so the role of our peer support worker is central in our support work. Confidentiality is assured.

We offer a support group which meets once a month to meet and share experiences. The programme is varied with speakers and events e.g. pampering days for women.

For the past 7 years the support group has opened its doors to host a women's lunch as part of World AIDS day events.

We also support women in making health care choices by

• Referral to other support services, counsellors, doctors and alternative health practitioners.
• Advocating on behalf of individuals with health care providers.
• Encouraging and supporting women to attend a GP service
• Providing current treatments information
• Providing complementary therapy information and individual support
• Providing resources to health care providers and students
• Seeking opportunities to work with Hepatitis C workers to share information, ideas and support

Promotion of Gender Equity
HIV/ AIDS also affects women and families. The project promotes the diverse voices of women and their experiences in the following ways:

• Contributing to policy, strategies and research on National and State levels
• Representing HIV positive women’s views within government and community structures
• Advocating for gender inclusive policies and practices in HIV funded organisations
• Raising the community profile of HIV positive women’s issues
• Supporting national research initiatives into women’s and family issues

Information & Resource Development
The HIV women's project believes that clear and accessible information supports women to make informed decisions about health care.

We provide up to date written material to positive and affected women through post outs or at our small library of relevant books, magazines and articles.

We produce a News Sheet 4 times per year which includes articles by positive women, information, notices of events and news from other Positive Women's groups in Australia and internationally. You can find the latest News Sheet in the publications section under the HIV/AIDS/Positive Women category.

We provide information packages to students on issues specific to women and HIV

Strengthening Community Involvement of Women & Families
HIV positive woman often speak of the importance of not feeling alone. Having a say in the women's project and in the HIV community can support individual women to build a sense of community.

We encourage positive women to participate in the project’s work through Forums, focus groups, education sessions and decision making structures

We also support and encourage women to participate in HIV community activities.

We promote opportunities for women to participate in national and international conferences

We provide ongoing support and skill development for our peer support worker and her work as National Association of People living With AIDS, SA representative

Collaborative Work with Other Agencies
The HIV funded agencies in SA are committed to working together to ensure the best responsive approach to HIV care and support.

The Women’s project has consistently sought to work with partners in the development of services. For example we have co-located our peer support position at the key agencies for a number of years. We have worked with other agencies in the development and provision of education sessions. The family camp for HIV positive people and their families has been an outstanding example of joint partnership with key community agencies over 7 years. As is the Joint Agency Worker Group which has developed a Co-ordinated approach to Community support between community agencies.

We are also part of a national and international network of positive women. This network contributes to raising awareness around the impact that HIV has on women’s lives.

Positive Women's Forums
Since 2003 the project has facilitated 2 forums a year for HIV positive women. The forums provide a structure for positive women to build community connections and work together to make sure their experiences are heard by the HIV Women's Project & by HIV agencies in SA. At the forums women are also consulted about the work of the HIV women's project and asked to make suggestions to guide future project directions.

Some forums have a focus topic which enables the project to document women's specific knowledge and experiences. Topics have included disclosure, treatments, living on a limited income and sexuality.

Other forums aim to identify women's current concerns and explore strategies for change and increased support. You can find reports from past forums in our publications section.

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