Women and Power

[NicoleJ]

In “Ladies First” (POZ, May 2008), POZ spoke with former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Susan Blumenthal, MD, about tackling HIV/AIDS among women around the world. In order to tackle problems like gender-based violence and reduced social and legal rights of women—all of which contribute to their vulnerability to HIV infection—Dr. Blumenthal says “we must continue to research [gender] differences with HIV/AIDS and empower women themselves…we need to intensify our efforts to ensure education and economic opportunities for women.”

POZ wants to hear your ideas about the best ways to address the specific challenges for women with HIV. Share your personal experiences here, and talk to other women about their obstacles and triumphs.

To read the full article with Dr. Blumenthal, click here: http://www.poz.com/articles/SusanBlumenthal_women_inequality_2176_14358.shtml

[Snowangel]

I don't even know where to start??

The biggest obstacle for me is the stigma and getting infected by someone who was physically, mentally and verbally abusive. 

Girls need to be taught at early age to love themselves as they are.  To have self esteem. That they don't have to have the latest fashion or fad to be accepted or beautiful.  The need to be taught communication skills.  Be able to identify the different personality types and how to deal with them in any situation ie: life in general, work, relationships.
Girls need to be taught the importance of getting an education, finding out what they really enjoy doing and doing it no matter what it is. 
I think kids need to be taught at an early age (middle school) about the importance of using condoms.  Kind of like, everytime they get in the car, they put on a seat belt, everytime they have sex, they need to put on a condom.

I think a good slogan would be:
Who needs diamonds?  Condoms are a girls best friend.

Snow

[NicoleJ]

Thanks, Snow.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Look forward to hearing more thoughts on this. To give you all a little more info about me, I'm Nicole, an associate editor at POZ, and I work closely with Tim Horn. I worked on the story I mentioned above with Dr. Blumenthal, and after our discussion, we really felt that the topic of how to empower women, all around the world, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative, could not be left to one single page in the magazine.

I hope we can continue the discussion here.

Thanks,

Nicole

[TreDai]

Snow I LOVE the slogan!! I agree with everything you have said

I don't even know where to start??

The biggest obstacle for me is the stigma and getting infected by someone who was physically, mentally and verbally abusive. 

Girls need to be taught at early age to love themselves as they are.  To have self esteem. That they don't have to have the latest fashion or fad to be accepted or beautiful.  The need to be taught communication skills.  Be able to identify the different personality types and how to deal with them in any situation ie: life in general, work, relationships.
Girls need to be taught the importance of getting an education, finding out what they really enjoy doing and doing it no matter what it is. 
I think kids need to be taught at an early age (middle school) about the importance of using condoms.  Kind of like, everytime they get in the car, they put on a seat belt, everytime they have sex, they need to put on a condom.

I think a good slogan would be:
Who needs diamonds?  Condoms are a girls best friend.

Snow


But also included information on being abstaining, and sticking to their guns on it.