Policy Agenda

Criminalization | Reproductive Justice | Economic Justice | Prevention Justice | Women-Centered Care

Criminalization

According to recent analysis thirty-four states and two U.S. territories have HIV-specific criminal statutes that criminalize HIV exposure and transmission, and thirty-six states have reported cases in which HIV-positive people have been arrested and/or prosecuted for consensual sex, biting, and spitting. Theses HIV-specific criminal laws perpetuate stigma and existing oppressions such as criminalizing already marginalized communities, especially women, leading to an increased risk for acquiring HIV. PWN addresses this issue by advocating for state and national law reform and educating the community.

  • Women, HIV and Criminal HIV Exposure and Transmission Laws: American Bar Association Testimony, by Brook Kelly, October 2010
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Reproductive Justice

Reproductive and sexual health care is critical for women, however HIV-positive women continue to experience human rights violations to their sexual and reproductive health, while reproductive health services are rarely integrated with HIV prevention and care leading to late testing and poor health outcomes. PWN is committed to ensuring reproductive health and justice for all women by educating providers, policy makers, and others to achieve tangible policy and service delivery change that is woman-centered.

  • Press Release: Positive Women’s Network – Philadelphia Region Condemns Policies that lead to Unsafe Abortions for Poor Women and Women of Color
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  • Women & HIV Organizations submit official comments to HHS on implementation of Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIPs)
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Economic Justice

The relationship between economic stability, employment status, HIV status and health is diverse and complex, to say the least. Economic insecurity is a risk factor for HIV, and in some cases, economic insecurity is even an incentive to acquire HIV. In addition, an HIV diagnosis can fuel a cycle of poverty with medical costs, the inability or perceived inability to work, and discrimination in the workplace. Our goal is to highlight the relationships between these issues and to begin a dialogue within our community about why and how we must work on these intersecting issues.

 

Prevention Justice

Prevention Justice is a call to understanding all factors that impact HIV incidence. Most women living with HIV are low-income women of color who face many layers of oppression and marginalization. Women are experiencing intimate partner violence, highly policed communities, poor transportation to get good medical care, lack of access to jobs, sex trafficking leading to sex work and the list continues. A shift in the HIV prevention framework from an individual’s behavior change to addressing broader structural issues is essential to address the epidemic among women.

 

Women-centered Care

The comprehensive health care needs of women living with HIV are currently ignored and inadequate. Women-centered health care is at risk due to funding cuts, service delivery and funding silos, and the lack of a woman’s voice at the decision-making table. Positive women need a holistic women-centered health care model that integrates supportive services, sexual/reproductive care, competent providers, and affordability. PWN advocates for women-centered care from the local to the national level to appropriate more funding into women’s health services, educate providers and community, and push an integrated service delivery model.

  • Women & HIV Organizations submit official comments to HHS on implementation of Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIPs)
    Click here