Positive Women, positive attitudes

Think of a person living with HIV/AIDS, and the emaciated gay man in a shocking poster campaign of some years ago springs to mind. You probably don’t think of a healthy-looking woman.

In 2004, of the 157 new HIV diagnoses, 65 were contracted by heterosexual intercourse. 35 of those were men and 30 were women. (There were also 6 children who contracted HIV through birth.)

Positive Women Inc. is a support organisation for women (and families) living with HIV/AIDS. (People who carry the Human Immunodeficiency Virus test positive for antibodies to the virus, hence “HIV-positive”.)

“HIV, unlike humans, does not discriminate,” Positive Women’s National Coordinator Jane Bruning points out. “Gay men, straight men, gay women, straight women and even children; drug addicts and business executives, housewives and career women. No one is immune.”

The last two years have seen the most ever new HIV diagnoses in New Zealand since recording began in 1984.

“As people can live for many years without even knowing they have the virus and most heterosexuals do not consider themselves in the risk group for HIV, it is likely that there are many people in the community right now, with the virus, who don't even know they have it,” Jane Bruning says.

“As well as fear for the future, many women who live with HIV feel shame and isolation. The fear of discrimination is so great that most women keep their condition a secret. The strain of this secret and the isolation it creates often results in depression. The aim of Positive Women Inc. is first and foremost to provide support for these women and families.” (Jane Bruning is herself one of the very few HIV-positive women in New Zealand who is “out” about her status.)
The organisation provides a drop-in centre, monthly newsletters and support groups, as well as workshops, an annual retreat and many other support services.

“After support, education and prevention is the second most important activity of the organisation,” Jane Bruning says. “We are currently putting together educational programmes with a strong focus on 'de-stigmatisation’ and prevention, which we hope to present around the community, in schools, in the workplace, in medical training establishments and at conferences.”

Positive Women Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation, driven by its members who are themselves women living with HIV/AIDS. It is managed by a Governance Board: the National Coordinator is the only full time paid staff member. The organisation relies heavily on the support of volunteers, many of whom are also HIV-positive.

All Positive Women’s funding comes from sponsors and grants. Lottery grants have supported the organisation for a number of years. This year’s grant of $31,000 from the National Community Committee will cover some of the wages for the coordinator as well as volunteer and administration expenses.

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