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Living The American Dream? A Reality of Poverty For HIV+ Women

Living The American Dream? A Reality of Poverty For HIV+ Women. Juanita Williams – The Measuring Stick Crafting Circle April 23, 2012 P ositive W omen N etwork. Economic Justice In The South. There is no economic justice in the South.

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Living The American Dream? A Reality of Poverty For HIV+ Women

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  1. Living The American Dream? A Reality of Poverty For HIV+ Women Juanita Williams – The Measuring Stick Crafting Circle April 23, 2012 Positive Women Network

  2. Economic Justice In The South There is no economic justice in the South. Statistics in the South is the highest among most if not all health disparities with HIV/AIDS being on the top of the list. The South(also known as the Bible Belt) is the epicenter of HIV/AIDS. NO JUSTICE NO PEACE

  3. The South leads the way to • poverty • most uninsured • most prisons • failure to invest in HIV/AIDS programs • fewer needle exchange programs • criminal HIV exposure laws • abstinence – based sex ed • and have more hostility towards the LGBT community(still practicing Sodomy laws and religion) • Stigma and discrimination thriving

  4. Reaching women in remote, rural areas means more issues. • Most rural areas that have no access to public transportation. Also rural areas have low population density(car pooling out of the question). • Low levels of literacy(health literacy) makes it difficult to disseminate information. • Child care, and mama care(many folks are caregivers for other family members) makes it difficult for women to get involved. • If programs are present in rural areas, they often suffer from a lack of trained compassionate professionals. • Then there are women who do work and timing of programs can interfere with participation because of hours.

  5. Personal Advocacy For Economic Mobility Social and economic circumstances contribute to the vulnerabilities that can lead to HIV infection. Social and economic circumstances also intensify its impact. Social and economic circumstances generate and amplify the very conditions that enable the epidemic to thrive: Isolation and lack of finances. HIV+ women are mobilizing themselves starting their own speaking bureaus, support groups and even starting their own businesses. Funding isn’t what it used to be. Everyone is running out of monies. When women are empowered, ready to advocate and work we’re told there is no monies to support you and what you do. Volunteerism. That is the new word. But it doesn't pay the bills, put food on the table or even pay for the gas to get you there.

  6. Micro enterprising Women who have access to, ownership of, and control over income, property, and other assets are better able to avoid relationships that threatens their well being, and manage the impact of HIV/AIDS.

  7. My Personal Advocacy for Economic Mobility The Measuring Stick Crafting Circle TMSCC is a safe place for women living with and affected by HIV/AIDS to craft, create, share, and love. I came up with the crafting circle because of or my love for crafting and my need to be with other women. One of the purposes of the TMSCC along with crafting is to dispel the myth of “us and them”, “infected and “affected.” As we come together we create that safe space to talk. As women having conversation we realize we share the very same life experiences that can lead to the vulnerabilities of contracting HIV/AIDS. We have more in common than not although some may have a few more challenges or privileges than others.

  8. My Personal Advocacy for Economic Mobility(con’t) Common Threads Common Threads is a three day small group HIV prevention training designed to reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma and increase utilization of HIV services by building the capacity of women of African descent living with HIV/AIDS to effectively share their life experiences among partners, family, friends, and community. There are three components to this training –Peer leadership development, economic development and campaign development. I’m one of 4 facilitators along with Jackyie Coleman, TyreeseMcCallister, and Vanessa Johnson it’s founder.

  9. My Personal Advocacy for Economic Mobility(con’t) The ME Circle (Common Threads) The ME Circle is a personal and group sustainability vehicle designed to ensure that women living with HIV/AIDS are not solely dependent on public benefits and resources to live a quality life. Microenterprise has become a useful and valuable income generating alternative for addressing vulnerabilities arising out of poverty. Organizations with ME Circles (jewelry making endeavors): A family Affair - Orangeburg, SC The Afyia Center - Dallas, Texas Baton Rouge, LA (Scheduled training) Atlanta, GA (Scheduled training)

  10. My Personal Advocacy for Economic Mobility(con’t) Testimony from July 2010 Congressional Briefing Please join National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) for a special briefing: Advancing Economic Opportunities for Women Living with HIV/AIDS Utilizing Domestic and Global Partnerships WHEN: Thursday, July 15, 2010 TIME: 11:00 am ‐ 1:00 pm (lunch will be served) WHERE: Room B‐338/Rayburn House Office Building

  11. My Personal Advocacy for Economic Mobility(con’t) My crafts made out of recycle items Wall hanging made from scrap fabrics Torn sheets painted Beer bottles Door stopper made bricks

  12. Advocacy To Change Existing Structure n Federal funds do not meet the needs of those living with HIV in the South and are not equally distributed across the country. The Southern AIDS Coalition works to provide southerners with the opportunity to receive adequate HIV/AIDS prevention information, treatment, support services, and housing. Southern AIDS CoalitionOne Perimeter Park South, Suite 123SBirmingham, Alabama 35243(office)admin@southernaidscoalition.org

  13. Recommendations: • Invest in economic programs as a prevention measure to fight HIV particularly for women(micro enterprising programs working all over the world) • Invest in affordable housing • Invest in job training and vocational programs • Revisit “eligibility caps”

  14. Recommendations PWN Recommends: • Develop policies/programs that support women’s rights to work and to be paid a living wage, regardless of HIV status • Reform policies and programs that incentivize people to get sicker or to be unreasonably poor before achieving eligibility for access basic services like housing, medication, medical care and support services • Compassionate policies that support HIV+ individuals transitioning back into the workplace

  15. Thanks for support and resources!!! • PWN • Human Rights Watch Southern Exposure • Common Threads • Peers • Ancestors Juanita Williams The Measuring Stick Crafting Circle jwill46143@aol.com 404-643-5814

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