Sudbury groups raise awareness about HIV and gender-based violence

Two non-profit organizations in Sudbury, Reseau Access Network and YWCA, came together Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the beginning of 16 days of activism to end Gender Based Violence and the first day of HIV Awareness Week.

"Women living with HIV often experience gender-based violence," said Angèl Riess, manager of operations and communications at Reseau Access Network.

She said the stigma associated with HIV and gender-based violence can lead to people to not seek services.

"So they have intersectionality in a number of different areas, and it made sense for us to launch at the same time, given that our campaigns are kicking off on the same day,” Riess said.

The two organizations held the event at Tom Davis Square, where Mayor Paul Levebvre announced the proclamation.

Marvelous Muchenje shared her story of living with HIV, a manageable chronic condition.

"The message that was before was that if you were diagnosed, you are dead or when you are HIV positive, you can’t have a partner, you can't have a child, you can’t achieve your dreams but that's not true anymore," Muchenje said.

"There's now access to treatment. although it's not available to everyone. But at least in Canada, there's ways of getting medication. And once you take your medication as prescribed, you survive for a long time. I'm not saying that it's a perfect life. You have your ups and downs. You are living with the chronic disease, but it's manageable."

Two non-profit organizations in Sudbury, Reseau Access Network and YWCA, came together Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the beginning of 16 days of activism to end Gender Based Violence and the first day of HIV Awareness Week. (Photo from video)

Riess said there will be several events to provide education about prevention, testing and advancements in treatment.

"Tonight's event … is a women-centered talk based around gender-based violence and HIV," she said.

"We also have an event happening on Thursday, which is a screening of the film Philadelphia, which is going to take place at the Sudbury Indie Cinema at 6."

YWCA Sudbury executive director Marlene Gorman said in terms of what needs to be done to end gender-based violence, education is key and so is affordable safe housing.

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"We need to provide more education," Gorman said.

"Especially to our youth, to end that cycle of abuse and raise awareness also among men, because men and boys play an important role in ending violence and, supporting all survivors of gender-based violence. We need to also increase our housing and end homelessness because the No. 1 reason for women's homelessness is violence. And we need to support, agencies that provide support to women who are escaping abuse."

According to the CDC, women who experience gender-based violence are 1.5 times more likely to get HIV.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, approximately 65,270 people were living with HIV in Canada at the end of 2022.