Women's Advocacy Resource Connection
HIV is often simply a different disease for women, with a host of distinct issues, both biological and sociological. Biologically, women who have sex with men are more susceptible to HIV than men who have sex with women, and women living with HIV experience different clinical symptoms and complications. Sociologically, women living with HIV face significant barriers to medical care and treatment (and differences in quality of care) compared to men. Gender inequalities such as socioeconomic disparities, domestic violence, and cultural expectations make women more vulnerable to HIV and, for women living with HIV, further marginalize an already marginalized population. These problems are exacerbated by the fact that while there is great diversity among women with HIV across the country, statistically they are more likely to be poor and women of color.
Women/ Women's Advocacy Resource Connection in the HIV Policy Resource Bank features resources that analyze HIV as it affects women. These resources tackle issues such as gender disparities in care, prevention methods, reproductive health and rights, stigma, the rights and needs of young women, and more, with a focus on the experiences of women of color.