Positive Action for Women (PAFW), an initiative launched by HIV drug company ViiV Healthcare, announced that six grantees would receive a combined $1 million from ViiV to help HIV-positive women of color tackle isolation and stigma.

Although HIV diagnoses among U.S. women of color is decreasing, 80 percent of women diagnosed with HIV are women of color. According to a ViiV press release, PAFW collaborates with community groups and networks to address the disproportionate impact of HIV among cis- and transgender women of color.

The six groups receiving PAFW grants are:

  • AIDS Foundation of Chicago, which is working on a local plan to engage women of color across the HIV prevention and care continuum.

  • Christie’s Place, which is enhancing its trauma-informed HIV assistance and navigation program, CHANGE for Women.
  • Iris House, which is working with several partners to scale up its “Love Your Life” campaign.

  • Positive Women’s Network, which is working with affiliates in six states on the PWN Cares project to reach women through a series of videos and virtual discussions.

  • Transgender Law Center, which is expanding its Positively Trans project in Detroit, New Orleans and the Miami–Fort Lauderdale area.
     
  • The Well Project, which is collaborating with health care providers on the Building H.O.P.E. project to expand access to newly diagnosed women.

“We’re thrilled to advance our company’s commitment to women and take another step in closing the gap in HIV care for women of color living with HIV in the United States,” said Amelia Korangy of ViiV Healthcare in the press release. “We’re confident that our grantees and their partners will be able to extend their reach and break down isolation affecting women in their communities.”

“Positive Action for Women embodies an innovative, community-informed approach to addressing the urgent need for solutions,” added Vignetta Charles, PhD, member of the PAFW advisory board. “The grantees’ programs are community-driven efforts to address isolation that may impact women’s engagement with HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care.”

To learn more about ViiV’s PAFW initiative, click here.