Comprehensive support to women affected by HIV

On 22 June, Minsk hosted the Women's Forum 2024, which brought together over 60 women and girls affected by HIV or working in HIV prevention and treatment.

June 27, 2024

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 20.2 million girls and women globally were living with HIV in 2022, representing 53.5% of all diagnosed individuals. Despite significant advances in ending the epidemic, women continue to experience vulnerability due to stigma, discrimination, threat of violence, economic insecurity, and poor access to quality health services.

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets are an important framework for responding to the HIV epidemic, with 95% coverage of testing, treatment and achieving an undetectable viral load in people on antiretroviral therapy (ART). These targets, however, cannot be met without collaborating with those affected by HIV, particularly women, who have unique needs.

There are currently 10,697 women and girls living with HIV in Belarus.

On 22 June, Minsk hosted the Women's Forum 2024, which brought together over 60 women and girls affected by HIV or working in HIV prevention and treatment. The event, initiated by the Country Coordinating Mechanism for interaction with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UNAIDS.

The programme of the first Forum held in Belarus was based on the needs proposed by women affected by HIV. Together with doctors, psychologists, lawyers and social workers, women discussed concrete solutions for improving the quality of life in such areas as reproductive health, endocrine and metabolic risks, emotional and physical intelligence, substance use consequences, social support, and legal protection.

Reproductive health was at the center of the Forum's agenda, as evidenced by the Ministry of Health's plans to start vaccinating girls and women living with HIV against the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Mental and psychological health was another important topic of discussion. Women, affected by HIV, are twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder compared to those without HIV. HIV-related stigma impacts not only those infected but also their social environment, creating a cumulative stigma effect.

Internal stigma, characterized by feelings of shame and fear of diagnosis or criminalization, is also prevalent, with 69% of women living with HIV experiencing stigma in their personal lives.

A diagnosis of HIV can trigger or worsen mental health, delaying the start of antiretroviral therapy and negatively affecting viral suppression rates. Therefore, integrating mental health and psychological well-being into comprehensive support for women and girls living with HIV is essential for this community.

The Forum participants also explored legal tools for personal safety, including protection from abuse in relationships, resolving property disputes, and social support in crisis situations.

The main conclusion of the first Women's Forum on HIV in Belarus was the recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach to improving the living conditions of women and girls. This approach should consider medical, psychological, social and economic aspects.

Looking ahead, the Women's Forum may become a regular platform that unites communities working with women affected by HIV. The experience of the first event demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing important issues beyond the scope of Global Fund grants and highlighted new opportunities for capacity building within this group.

Furthermore, the participation of women and girls affected by HIV in the forum not only provided them with useful knowledge and practical advice, but also created favourable conditions for their formalization into a specific group with the potential to make a significant contribution to the national HIV response.

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