Women - AIDS Committee of Toronto

Women and HIV statistics via OHESI:

In 2020, a total of 4,288 women diagnosed with HIV were living in Ontario, making up 22% all people with diagnosed HIV living in the province.

Women receiving a positive HIV test in Ontario fall into two distinct groups:

Women diagnosed for the first time in Ontario who are more likely to have acquired HIV in Ontario.
Women living with HIV who have already been diagnosed elsewhere (i.e. have previous evidence of HIV) and likely acquired HIV outside of Ontario.

Of women who were first time diagnosed with HIV:

44.4% were Black
31.5% were White
13% were Indigenous

https://www.ohesi.ca/a-snapshot-of-hiv-diagnoses-and-the-hiv-care-cascade-among-women-in-ontario/

Programs and services at ACT for women

Women's Zone

Held twice a month during the afternoon, Women's Zone offers the opportunity to learn about ways to better manage your health, the importance of nutrition, and an opportunity to interact with each other. Of the three sessions each month, one session focuses on learning, one is social in nature, and the other is a cooking session. Child minding subsidies are available through the Casey House Childcare Program.

For more information contact gchiutsi@actoronto.org

Women’s Coffee Night

Held twice a month in the evening, this informal social support event for HIV-positive women provides an opportunity to connect with other women with HIV and learn from each other’s experiences. Child minding subsidies and public transit fare can be provided upon request. Please ask if either of these would make it easier to attend Women’s Coffee Night.

For more information, (including dates and times) or to register, contact gchiutsi@actoronto.org

PYO

ACT’s PYO program is a free, peer-led program for young people (16-29) living with HIV. You heard us – PYO is a program for you and led by people just like you, who’ve been where you are before.

PYO’s main group meets weekly at ACT from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday afternoons but also offers a range of other supports.

Learn more about what PYO offers

Resources for Women

My Sex Life
Women Lovin
Abortion Guide
PrEP for Women
PEP for Women
HIV & Pregnancy
Caring for Women Living with HIV: Women-Centred HIV Care (or download the PDF HERE)
Women-Centred HIV Care: Information for Women (or download the PDF HERE)

Women’s Community Development

ACT’s Women’s Community Development staff provide education, information and training to agencies in Toronto that work with women. In that way, these women’s based organizations can better integrate HIV education and support into their work. To find out more about our service-provider training programs about women and HIV call 416-340-8484 ext. 453 or 276.