Positive women: voices and choices: Zimbabwe report

This report documents the development of a project by the International Community of Women living with HIV/AIDS (ICW) encouraging HIV positive women in Zimbabwe to share and document their own experiences of living with HIV, particularly in relation to their sexual and reproductive health and needs. They wanted to lead their own research, own the process and gain skills to advocate for their own health and that of their families and communities. This project was seen as a model of partnership between positive women and researchers; positive women and those who are negative or untested; and positive women and community leaders and health care workers. The participants in the study showed that an HIV diagnosis has an impact on every aspect of women's lives and that there is a great need for emotional, medical, financial and social support in order for families and communities to better cope with the impact of HIV. The report particularly highlights the importance of peer support and coming together in groups to share experiences, build confidence and learn from one another.