What We DoWhy is there a need for an organisation that works solely with HIV positive women?"How did you get it?" - The question most asked of HIV positive women due to the assumption that if a woman is HIV positive then she is a either drug user or a sex worker. Latest statistics in Victoria show that in fact, most women are infected by a male who is classified as heterosexual.
Many positive women never thought they were at risk of being infected with HIV, until they were diagnosed. After diagnosis, many positive women have a need to understand their relationship with the person who infected them, including negotiations around the future of the relationship. They are also trying to understand the impact that HIV will have on their lives.
HIV affects women in ways that are quite different. These include:
- Shock that an HIV diagnosis is even a possibility
- Looking after children while being positive
- Undergoing menopause
- Becoming pregnant
- Differing treatment doses
- Caring for infected partners
- A different level of stigma around HIV
- Settling in to a new environment for women from overseas
- Reproductive health
- Disclosure to family and friends
Our organisation understands that these issues are real and can be worked through in an environment of support where women feel they can discuss their needs. We advocate to ensure women's voices are on the agenda of stakeholders in Victoria and that the needs of our members are understood and addressed. It is also important that as an organisation we understand that a high number of new infections are due to women coming to Victoria from countries with a high prevalence of HIV (greater than 1% of the population) or being infected by a man from a high prevalence country. Our support and advocacy encompass these women and their differing needs. |
