Positive Women’s Leadership

30 years into the epidemic, the impact of HIV on women’s lives is largely ignored, minimized, and misunderstood. HIV-positive women’s voices, mobilization, and collective action are necessary to create and influence policies that serve women’s needs. PWN’s focus on leadership development has included training HIV-positive women nation-wide to advocate for change and supporting HIV-positive women to attain positions of influence and decision-making.

Over the past two years, PWN has helped to train hundreds of HIV-positive women and allies in a variety of areas including:

* advocacy and community organizing skills * Ryan White planning council participation * using a human rights framework * blogging and online journalism * running for political office * public speaking * monitoring healthcare reform and the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

We have supported HIV-positive women and allies to secure seats in positions of leadership and authority, including local Ryan White Planning Councils; statewide prevention and care advisory groups; federal advisory bodies; community advisory boards; and committees that inform policy, funding, research, and resource allocation.

Learn more about PWN’s leadership development initiatives and contact us to schedule a training.

Further reading and resources:

• “Will you lead? A Guide to Grassroots Advocacy for Women Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS,” HIV Law Project, March 10, 2011
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