Principles of People living with HIV Self-empowerment and Leadership

1. Principles of People living with HIV Self-empowerment and Leadership Presenter: Olive Edwards GIPA Facilitator, Jamaican Network of Seropositives Jamaica Community of Positive Women

2. Objectives • To: • Set the stage for our definition of principle, guideline • Inform the discussion on self empowerment and leadership • Share PLHIV steps to and support that enables self-empowerment and leadership

3. Principles • a descriptive comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption, • a normative rule or code of conduct, • a law or fact of nature underlying the working of an artificial device • *Guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct for example a person of principle

4. Guideline • A statement by which to determine a course of action. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice. By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory. Guidelines are not binding and are not enforced.

5. Story ….. There are always 2 or more sides to every story, His-story, My–story and will therefore be most likely using my perspective on requirements, obligation and right conduct in the context of more Meaningful Involvement of People living with HIV (MIPA) and Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention (PHDP).

6. Of life • Whatever we do in life is informed by actions and reactions (experienced it, read it, heard it) • We learn lessons and develop values and standards For many this is actually a long road (bumpy, long and winding, interesting stops)

7. Personal Development Self-empowerment is personal but it needs lots of support to enable progression in leadership Accepting that you are living with HIV is a start For some it is getting their HIV test results; they immediately start looking for the treatment care and support necessary to health, wellbeing and quality of life

8. Taking back self • ACTION! • Treatment, treatment literacy, adherence, • Disclosure, to those who need to know (partner, family member, doctors, lawyer) • Motivation and willingness to be more meaningfully involved in the HIV response • Identify peers, peer support group, networks, organization and National HIV Program • Psycho-social support: capacity building, training, social service support,

9. Enabling PLHIV self-empowerment and leadership • There is need for LOTS and LOTS of support from: • Care Givers • Health care providers • Social service providers (government /NGO/CBO/FBO

10. Support system • FAMILY and FRIENDS: spouse, partner/s, siblings, children • Workplace: buddy, co-worker, employer • PLHIV Network & Organization • CHURCH (spiritual wellbeing)

11. The reality is… • That many mistakes are made along the way by us • When we identify and recognize these mistakes usually measures are put in place to address them • Sometimes it takes ADVOCACY, agitation and strong leadership to bring about such change • That is why it is critical that we enable people living with HIV self-empowerment • It is the most likely way to motivate our willingness to progress in leadership, advocacy and organizational development Together we will turn the tide of AIDS