Women With A.I.D.S. Seek Support (Press, 7 March 1989)

The article discusses the experiences of two Melbourne women, Bernice and Dana, who are HIV-positive and represent a growing, yet often overlooked, demographic in the AIDS crisis in Australia. Published on 7 March 1989, the piece highlights their struggles for recognition and support, as they believe that the focus has largely been on the homosexual community. Bernice, aged 37, and Dana, aged 26, are frustrated with the current understanding of AIDS as primarily a disease affecting gay men. They argue that women who contract HIV through heterosexual contact face unique challenges and concerns that have not been adequately addressed by organisations and support services. Bernice expresses her feelings of isolation, stating that she struggled to find others like herself in the same situation, feeling particularly distressed about issues such as the inability to have more children and worries about her son facing discrimination. Both women emphasize the need for more targeted support for women, including counselling that considers issues like child care and medical services specific to women's health. They initiated Positive Women Victoria, Australia's first organisation aimed at providing assistance to women living with AIDS, in an effort to foster a sense of community and support among women affected by the virus. The article shares insights into the stigma surrounding AIDS, particularly for women, who may be unfairly judged based on assumptions that they are inherently promiscuous or involved in high-risk behaviours. Bernice notes that this stigma affects their willingness to disclose their status, with both women having shared their condition with very few people, fearing judgement and ostracism. Moreover, they voice concerns about the lack of awareness among women regarding their risk of HIV infection, stemming from widespread misconceptions that only specific groups are at risk. Dana calls for improved education for women to understand their susceptibility to the virus and stresses the importance of being assertive about safe sexual practices. Bernice reflects on the journey since her diagnosis in 1984, noting how the AIDS crisis was initially viewed as a distant problem, and criticising the ongoing lack of awareness and acceptance of the disease among the wider community. The article concludes with statistics indicating that out of 1,168 reported AIDS cases in Australia, only 42 are women, highlighting the discrepancy between reported cases and the actual number of individuals infected with the virus, with estimates suggesting that there could be between 40,000 to 100,000 people infected. The discussion calls for greater recognition and support for women affected by HIV/AIDS, underlining their vital need for solidarity and understanding in navigating the impacts of the disease.

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