Citation

Wyatt GE, Hamilton AB, Myers HF, Ullman JB, Chin D, Sumner LA, Loeb TB, Carmona JV, Zhang M, Liu H. Womens Health Issues 2011; 21(6 Suppl): S255-60.

Affiliation

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.whi.2011.07.007

PMID

22055676

Abstract

Experiences of past and current gender-based violence are common among HIV-positive women in the United States, who are predominantly from ethnic minority groups. However, culturally congruent, feasible interventions for HIV-positive women who have experienced past and/or current violence are not widely available. The Office on Women's Health Gender Forum has made several recommendations for responding to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation Plan, including recommendations to incorporate gender-based violence prevention into a comprehensive, gender-responsive national strategy. This paper draws on an example of a community-based project for HIV-positive women, the Healing Our Women Project, to illustrate how violence prevention can be achieved within peer-led and community-based programming. Strong community partnerships, responsiveness to community needs and local cultural norms, a trained workforce, and culturally competent care are programmatic cornerstones of gender-responsive services. HIV-positive women with histories of gender-based violence and risk factors for current and future violence deserve the highest quality gender-responsive services to ensure that they can address their health needs within contexts of safety and respect.

Language: en