Description
About 160 women and girls over 15 years of age are diagnosed with HIV in Poland each year. Project objective is to counteract social exclusion of women with HIV by means of various forms of advisory services, support, knowledge-sharing, development of social competences, volunteering and HIV prevention, which will help improve the quality of life for women with HIV, and in the long term will help integrate the community. The project will involve about 350 women. Project activities include: community assistance - interventions on site (where beneficiaries live), specialist consultations and advisory points in Community Intervention and Consultation Centers, an open meeting place (Klub Pozytywka) and web portal (Wirtualna Pozytywka) with a blog written by women with HIV, “woman to other women" experience sharing board; counseling (lectures, workshops, support); activation - volunteer training; developing a report about the status of women with HIV and presentation of the report at the seminar. Importantly, women who are personally affected by HIV will be involved.
Summary of project results
"Every year, in Poland 160-200 new HIV infections are detected among women. In 2015, 184 new infections were registered, 39 women developed AIDS, and 11 women AIDS patients died. In spite of the situation, no long-term activities were conducted directed to HIV-infected women that would take into account their special needs. The main objective of the project was to improve the quality of life of and integrate women with HIV through various forms of advisory services, support, supplying knowledge, developing social competencies and activating them for volunteer work. Women living with HIV benefited from specialist consultations, workshops and support and integration meetings. An Internet page and a blog were launched concerning problems of women with HIV/AIDS. The participants of the project declared higher sense of social support and well-being. 211 specialist consultations were conducted, as well as 444 consultations for educators and 154 interventions in crisis situations (85 women). Mail and phone support covered 96 women from all over Poland. 56 meetings of the Pozytywka Club were held to support and integrate women with HIV. Participants of the project co-developed the Internet page Pozytywnyświatkobiet.org and the blog. Five one-day and three three-day psycho-educational meetings were organised for 65 women. 9 educators and 13 volunteers were trained. A survey on the quality of life of women with HIV was conducted and a report was prepared. The project benefited 350 women infected with HIV from all over Poland."
Summary of bilateral results