The Role of Women Living with HIV in the Global Plan

1. The Role of Women Living with HIV in the Global Plan Eunice Sinyemu, ICW February 2013, Zambia

2. Overview • Why involve women living with HIV? • How? • Delivering services • Demand creation • Advocating for an enabling environment • Challenges • Opportunities

3. Why involve women living with HIV The Global Plan emphasises the involvement of women living with HIV as a PRINCIPLE • We are experts in our own lives and care • We are part of communities • Long history of advocacyand activism • We understand communities and local factors • We are already implementing diverse, effective, engagement strategies

4. How: Delivering services • Outreach workers • Mentor mothers • Treatment supporters • Carers in the home and in the community

5. How: Demand creation • We advocate for quality services by: • Sensitising our communities • Raising issues in support groups and clinics • Participating in national policy

6. How: Promoting enabling environment • Promote stigma-free environments • Champion supportive workplace policies and rights • Advocate for national laws and policies that do not criminalise people living with HIV • Speak at community events, workshops and meetings

7. Challenges • It is difficult to be visible about living with HIV due to stigma and discrimination • For women with children this can be even harder • Gender inequality • Gender based violence • Economic vulnerability • There is limited investment

8. Opportunities • We can partner with FBOs • We have the lived experience • In decision-making bodies • Informing and implementing supportive policies

9. Way forward • How are you engaging us in your work • If already engaging at what levels are you involving WLH? • Is it through • Participation • Involvement • Inclusive • Access • All of the above

10. Thank you for listening