Several organizations co-sponsored a DC HIV/AIDS Speakout on May 17th, 2007. I will be posting the reports from each of the breakout groups throughout the next week. The final outcome document from the Speakout will be published on the DC Fights Back Website. If you'd like to get involved, please be sure to join this yahoo group.
Our Women's breakout group was moderated by the amazing Cherie Lindsay from
Our Place DC. Other individuals on the panel included Marie Sansone from the
DC Department of Health, and
DC Fights Back member Dorithia Akins.
One of the topics the group tackled was HIV/AIDS research. The group would like to see more trial study opportunities for women, and would like to see studies that take their needs into account (i.e. childcare, etc ...). The group also discussed the importance of women-focused research like Microbicide Research, and specifically, the need to have more money for Microbicide Research (Barack Obama has introduced the Microbicide Development Act of 2007 in the Senate which if it succeeds, will address this).
The group also talked about the need for a clinic specifically for women, a 'one stop center' for women in the district.
Other issues that were brought up included: job placement, skills building, life skills/time management, respite, and support groups.
I hope that the folks in this working group continue working on these issues. If I missed something or you have additional things to add, please do so by posting a comment below.
Click here to download the flip chart notes from the Women's Breakout Group.
Labels: dcfightsback, speakout, women, Womens Collective
The Women's Collective is bringing back their popular Prosper! Group for women living with HIV. HIV positive women are invited for food, pampering, peer support, and "plenty of love and fun as we let down our hair and open our minds."
