As part of my advocacy work, looking at women's challenges in accessing health services, I attended the 2nd African Workshop on Women and HIV Conference__ a truly enlightening experience. The conference brought together a diverse group of passionate individuals, each committed to making a difference in the lives of women affected by HIV in Africa. From healthcare professionals to activists, researchers to policymakers, everyone shared a common goal: to empower women and transform the narrative around HIV, Pregnancy, breastfeeding and contraception, and menopause and HIV.
This conference focused on discussing the role of communities in empowering women living with HIV, the impact of community and peer support on ART adherence and well-being among women living with HIV in Africa and also the involvement of men in supporting women living with HIV. The conference speakers and participants emphasized the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by women living with HIV. They highlighted the need for comprehensive healthcare services, gender-sensitive policies, and community-based support systems.
One of the most impactful sessions for me featured stories from women who have been directly affected by HIV and menopause in the United Kingdom. Their courage and resilience were truly inspiring. They shared their journeys of overcoming stigma, accessing treatment, practicing self-care, and advocating for their rights. These personal narratives served as a powerful reminder of the human side of the epidemic and the urgent need for awareness creation on menopause and HIV, empathy and support. The second most impactful session was during the skills-building sessions, where I attended the workshop on improving women’s involvement in HIV research. Here, I was able to give my feedback on some of the barriers that prevent women from participating in HIV research and some of the themes of action that could be implemented to curb the barriers. One of these barriers included patriarchal norms or culture where most women, especially in the African context, look up to men to make decisions about their bodies as they depend on getting consent from their male counterparts before doing anything. This challenge calls for empowering women on the importance of bodily autonomy and integrity, where they are free to make decisions about their bodies without coercion.
The sense of ownership and shared purpose was inspiring, and I left the conference with a renewed sense of hope and determination. As the conference drew to a close, there was a collective sense of urgency to turn discussions into action. The final sessions emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy, policy changes, new funding models and community engagement. The call to action was clear: we must continue to work together to ensure that women living with HIV receive the care, support, and respect they deserve.