Positive Women Victoria launched the My Journey Kit, a resource for women providing support and sharing experiences of living with HIV over a lifetime.

On 20 May 2013, Positive Women Victoria launched the My Journey Kit, a resource for women providing support and sharing experiences of living with HIV over a lifetime.

This unique resource provides information on various issues, including diagnosis, disclosure, having children and dealing with grief.

‘The My Journey Kit marks a shift in the reality of living with HIV.  HIV is no longer a death sentence in Australia.  People are living long healthy lives.  The My Journey Kit celebrates this and is designed to give women hope for the future,’ said Ms Tania Phillips, Executive Officer at Positive Women Victoria.

My Journey Kit has been written and developed by women living with HIV.  In developing the project, over 30 women across South East Australia came together to share stories and gain support from one another.

Ms Philips believes that the launch of this resource is highly significant for women with HIV as there are so few resources or avenues of support. Ms Philips adds, ‘women make up 10% of people living with HIV in Australia. Women are primarily marginalised in HIV campaigns, policies and research.

According to Ms Philips, women living with HIV continue to experience multiple forms of discrimination and marginalisation and therefore exist as an invisible minority in Australia.  This resource aims to break down the isolation and stigma many experiences by sharing the stories, experiences and wisdom of other women living with HIV at the individual and community levels.