Women Living with HIV

Many international students told us they didn’t know much about HIV before coming to Australia.

“More awareness is needed about any costs of testing and to clear up some common myths and misunderstandings around it (HIV),” student from Macau, China.

The International Student Health Hub has information to help you understand HIV.

We made these resources together with international students and sexual health experts. Which means everything on our website is accurate and relevant to your life in Australia.

On our HIV Page you can learn about:

• how HIV is passed on
• how to prevent HIV, including using condoms and taking preventative medication called PrEP
• how to get tested for HIV in Australia, including many free options
• HIV treatment and how it works

You can learn in different way too. You can:

• watch our HIV video,
• explore the interactive HIV Online Learning Module
• read translated factsheets

These resources give clear and simple answers about HIV.

HIV and Women

HIV is a virus that can affect anyone. This includes people of any:

• gender
• sexuality
• relationship status
• cultural background

Knowing this helps reduce stigma and encourages testing and getting support.

Around the world, most people diagnosed with HIV are women. In Australia, more than 10% of people living with HIV are women

Women living with HIV have important knowledge and experiences to share. Hearing from them can help reduce stigma and help us understand HIV better.

Groups like Positive Life NSW help people living with HIV, including women.

Positive Life NSW offers support such as:

• peer support from other women living with HIV
• help with questions about relationships, stigma, and disclosure
• support with sexual and reproductive health
• information to help women make decisions about their health and wellbeing

They also run programs where women can meet, share stories, and help each other.

Living with HIV

Our understanding of HIV has Improved a lot in recent years.

Today, HIV treatments are very effective. With the right treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

When someone takes their HIV treatment every day, the amount of virus in their body can become very low. This is called an undetectable viral load.

When HIV is undetectable, it cannot be passed on through sex. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U).

Even with better treatment, women living with HIV still face challenges. These can include:

• stigma and discrimination
• gender inequality
• higher risk of gender-based violence
• difficulty accessing healthcare.

National Day of Women Living with HIV

The National Day of Women Living with HIV celebrates women living with HIV.

It highlights their strength and the important role they play in:

• education
• peer support
• Advocacy

At the International Student Health Hub, we believe informed communities help reduce stigma.

For student communities, this day is a reminder to:

• challenge stigma if you see it
• use respectful and inclusive language
• keep learning about HIV
• listen to the stories of people with lived experience

To learn more visit:

• The International Student Health Hub HIV page
• The NSW Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service website
• Positive Life NSW