Looking to the Future
April 24th, 2009
Last weekend PWN staff and board turned the organization inside out. In other words, we were strategic planning. We’re going backwards and forwards, talking timelines and possibilities. What we know about HIV has changed so much since PWN started offering programming in 1993, and yet some things are similar. We’re not finished our plan yet, but so far it’s been a great opportunity to really think about how to provide support and advocate for women and improve the capacity of through education, outreach and advocacy.
A diagnosis of HIV means a different life expectancy than it did in 1993. People have the potential to live much longer lives. The introduction of HAART provides possibilities that women could never have expected to have when diagnosed. A frequently heard statement is “I thought I’d be dead within a year, and look at me now.” There’s plenty of reason to be hopeful that we’ll keep hearing that. There’s still work to do to ensure that everyone who wants to access treatment can.
But living with HIV hasn’t changed in some ways either. Women with HIV still face prejudice and judgment. Individuals talk about it, and PWN itself experiences it. We’ll send out resource information to community health clinics around the province, only to have it returned with a note that reads, “HIV is not an issue for women here.” Our membership statistics tell a different story, though. Women with HIV live throughout BC, and no community can count itself immune. But whether women feel comfortable being open about their status when they know they could receive a “not here” response is a different thing. HIV is still so stigmatized; people will protect themselves by not telling a (nearby) soul. Instead, they’ll find their way to us, and talk with support workers, attend a retreat, and get support safely.
So our strategic planning is not only about individual women, it’s also addressing the communities that think HIV isn’t an issue. Until we can talk openly about it, people aren’t safe to be honest. And that takes a toll on health. As we move along in planning for the next few years, we rejoice that women are able to live longer, fruitful lives. We are excited about the women who can be freely open about their status. But we haven’t lost sight of the women whose lives are carefully guarded. Our vision is “Action and Leadership on Women and HIV/AIDS.” We’re on it.
- Janet
This blog represents the ideas of individual writers, and does not necessarily reflect any formal stance taken by Positive Women's Network.
This was posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under Education & Resources, Networking, News . Feel free to respond, or trackback.
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