Positive Women

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Positive Women

Visit this wonderful new site: HIV/AIDS Online Interactive Documentary : a resource for positive women to share experiences and stories of those infected or affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. (link added 1/2/99)

Try out the Positive Women web site!

This page contains information about services directed specifically at women. Most of the services listed in the Resources Directory are inclusive of women.
Blue text indicates that further information is available. In some instances links are provided to web sites or e-mail addresses.

Positive Women Victoria Inc.

Services for Women with HIV/AIDS

Other Activities

History

Contact Details

Counselling for Positive Women

Every Monday, 10am-2pm at the Alfred Hospital.
Telephone Positive Women (03) 9 276 6918 (added 6/11/98)

Positive Women Victoria Inc.

Services for Women with HIV/AIDS

One-to-One Contact
Women can talk to other positive women either in person or by phone. Confidentiality is assured. Women don't have to give their name or phone number.

Group Support
Evening and lunchtime support meetings for women to meet and share experiences.

Monthly Newsletter
Includes articles by positive women, notices of services and events, information and news about other Positive Women's groups in Australia and internationally. The newsletter is sent in plain envelope to members only.

Drop-in Centre and Library,
Based in the grounds of the Alfred Hospital. Staffed 5 days a week between 10am and 4pm, to enable women to use library, drop in for a chat of a cuppa, or get advice

Free Massage
A group of masseurs who offer regular free massages at the office.

Information and Referral
To other support services, doctors and alternative health practitioners.

Retreats and Social Events
Including an annual weekend retreat for women.

Hospital and Home Visits on request

Other Activities

Education of the HIV and the broader communities about the needs of women with HIV/AIDS. Advocacy for the development of sensitive and informed services for women and children living with the virus.

Lobbying of governments and health services to ensure the voices of women are heard.

Speakers Bureau
Openly positive women available to speak to schools, community organisations, medical training courses and the media about issues concerning women with HIV/AIDS.

Information Resources
Produced specifically for HIV positive women

Networking
With women, AIDS and other relevant groups in Australia and overseas to exchange information and resources.

History

Positive Women began with the meeting of two isolated women with HIV early in the epidemic. They quickly realised that their needs differed from the predominantly gay male HIV positive community. Overcoming many obstacles, the women formed Positive Women in 1988. Informal support and information was made available to newly diagnosed women and there was a push for greater attention to be paid in the health system to women's needs.

Originally based at Fairfield Hospital, Positive Women now has office space at the Alfred Hospital. Funding was received for a paid worker in 1995. Membership now includes over one third of all positive women state-wide. In mid-1997 there were approximately 180 HIV positive women in Victoria.