Advocating for a gendered analysis of HIV non-disclosure: send a postcard to the Attorney General of BC & Minster of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
As part of our mobilization efforts, presenters created two postcards; one to the Attorney General of BC, and one to the Minster of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. The postcards outline our call to action to take a gendered analysis of the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada, and to work with community to address prosecutorial guidelines. You can print and sign, or virtually sign and tweet to show your support!
Please consider sending and sharing these with your networks.
If you prefer hard copies, please contact Becky Gormley (rgormley@cfenet.ubc.ca).
You can find links to download both postcards on the PAN website here
"The Law is a Bigger Risk to Us Than HIV": Unpacking Gender, Power, and Progress in addressing the impacts of the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada on women living with HIV
June 2nd, 2019
Vancouver, British Columbia
A panel featuring women living with HIV, researchers, an HIV clinician, and a legal expert analyzed the gendered impacts of Canada's criminalization of HIV non-disclosure on women living with HIV through storytelling and lively discussion. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with life-sized Body Maps, depicting how women living with HIV enact resilience and resistance in the face of surveillance under the law. This provided a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from a diverse panel of researchers and activists, as well as the Body Maps of women living with HIV. Priorities centred around learning how attendees can take action against the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada.
Women, ART, and the Criminalization of HIV non-disclosure in Canada (WATCH): Body Mapping Gallery showcasing women's experiences of surveillance, resistance, and resilience.
Ten life-sized Body Maps created by women living with HIV, depicting powerful visual images and narratives of women’s perceptions and experiences of the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure was displayed in our ‘Art Gallery’ at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands July 23-27 2018.
Moving through the Gallery was not only a visual experience, but one that simulated different emotional aspects that attendees may bare witness too. Rows of black cords were hung at the front of, and throughout the gallery to simulate jail bars and the ‘prison’ that women find themselves constricted within, living under the constant fear and shadow of criminalization.
WATCH team members guided attendees through the Body Mapping Gallery, answered questions about WATCH, and shared opportunities to contribute to local and global advocacy efforts pertaining to the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure and law reform. Attendees were also encouraged to write reflections after moving through the Gallery, and share their thoughts in a guestbook.
Re-Imagining Strategies to Counter the Criminalization of Women Living with HIV in Canada: CAHR 2017 Ancillary Event
The WATCH team hosted an ancillary event at CAHR 2017, in Montreal, QC: "Re-Imagining Strategies to Counter the Criminalization of Women Living with HIV in Canada." The event brought together researchers, people living with HIV, service providers, and community organizers to catalyze dialogue and action to oppose the overly-broad criminalization of HIV non-disclosure, and to create and strengthen opportunities for new partnerships.