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WHAI Origins

WHAI Origins. A Provincial HIV Initiative for Women. The Need. A coordinated, province-wide strategy to address increases in HIV among women  Ontario Working Group on Women and HIV/AIDS Established by the AIDS Bureau

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WHAI Origins

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  1. WHAI Origins A Provincial HIV Initiative for Women

  2. The Need • A coordinated, province-wide strategy to address increases in HIV among women  • Ontario Working Group on Women and HIV/AIDS Established by the AIDS Bureau • Emerging issues, effective prevention strategies, and the best treatment and support for women living with HIV.

  3. Ontario Working Group on Women and HIV/AIDS - Key Findings • Women’s HIV vulnerability linked to social determinants of health and individual lived experience • Role of local community agencies that serve women - important access point for women • Few organizations serving women offered HIV-specific programs and/or developed adequate policies or operational procedures related HIV/AIDS.

  4. Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative Established • In 2009 The AIDS Bureau funds key communities across Ontario for Women and HIV/AIDS Community Development Coordinator positions • Currently, 17 sites across the province are funded through WHAI

  5. WHAI – Key Guiding Principles • Community Development • Social Determinants of Health • Harm Reduction • Intersectional and Anti-Oppressive • GIPA/MIPA

  6. WHAI on the Ground WHAI in the Community

  7. WHAI in Local Communities • Each WHAI Community Development Coordinator housed in local ASO • Grounded in local needs, issues and initiatives • Collaborate with community organizations to build capacity to respond to women’s HIV-related issues and for integration of HIV into programs and planning • Provide consultation and advice around HIV/AIDS to local organizations that serve women • Facilitate linkages between local ASOs and service providers

  8. Examples of Local WHAI Areas of Focus • Housing • Pregnancy • Poverty/employment • Aboriginal issues • Settlement/immigration, migrant workers • Trans issues • Sex workers’ rights • Food security • Prisons • Stigma, racism, homophobia etc. • Testing

  9. Examples of Local WHAI Activities • Health Forums • Working Groups/Coalitions/Advisory Groups • Trainings for service providers • Building inter-agency partnerships • Community events • Identifying and addressing barriers to access (hospitals, police, testing sites etc) • Participating/partnering with other provincial initiatives • Local media appearances

  10. WHAI and Testing Initiatives A Snapshot

  11. WHAI in North Bay, ON • WHAI Coordinator: Kathleen Jodouin • Housed at AIDS Committee of North Bay • Kathleen working with ASO and local Health Unit to address barriers to testing for women

  12. WHAI in Peel Region • WHAI Coordinator: Tina Obwanga • Housed at PHAN (Peel HIV/AIDS Network) • WHAI leads testing initiative along with ASO’s HP team to develop testing campaign • Raising awareness of HIV testing in Peel region in non-HIV specific sector

  13. WHAI in London, ON • WHAI Coordinator: Bonnie Baynham • Housed at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection • ASO involved with ongoing testing initiative “Are You Doin’ It” • Promotes and brings awareness of HIV testing to community partners outside HIV-sector • http://testingweek.ca/

  14. WHAI in York Region • WHAI Coordinator: Camille Griffith • Housed at AIDS Committee of York Region • Lead local testing drive in conjunction with community partners at Women’s Community Hub • Identified barriers to testing: service providers’ capacity, geography, fear of being identified, effective messaging, reaching women most vulnerable to HIV

  15. WHAI in Windsor, ON • WHAI Coordinator: Stephanie Green • Housed at AIDS Committee of Windsor • Works closely with the Blue House Drop-In for Women • Introducing monthly POC testing

  16. For More Information: Mohini Datta-Ray Manager, Provincial Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative (416) 340-8484 x 250 mdatta-ray@actoronto.org

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