Girls living with HIV can thrive! Growing up with HIV is different now than it was 30 years ago due to advances in healthcare and treatment options and children are living and thriving despite living with HIV. While there have been advances, we are still learning and understanding the possible effects HIV may have on their development, immune system, growth, emotional and mental health, and their overall wellbeing. Importantly, as children continue to grow not only their mental and physical health needs to be considered but also knowing that their environments contribute to their ability to thrive and this includes home, social, community, and built environments around them.
Understanding that as two life course overlap (mother and child) the beginning stages of a child’s development are impacted by prenatal health and access to care, especially antiretroviral therapy – which further protects and can prevent transmission from mother to child during birth and infancy.
For girls living with HIV ages 0-12, some key considerations include:
- The role of allies
- Support groups
- Adherence to HIV treatment
- Historically, there is limited information on recorded abnormalities or impacts of living with HIV – but with treatment and quality care children can thrive.
- Growth and development
- Acknowledgement of lack of research on girls / children living with HIV. More research is needed!
- SDOH and their impacts on the child’s aging health outcomes
- Parental support and caregiving
- HIV Stigma
- Community support including school, church, family, and friends, etc.
- Access to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education
- Case management
- Community:
- Community building, camps, and sleep aways | resources of camps for kids living with HIV
- How to navigate school, friends, administration; daycare; youth sports
The Roadmap for Women and Girls* Living with HIV promotes health and well-being across each life course. Flourishing with HIV is possible and quality care can be yours! As you know, each phase of a woman and girl’s life presents a unique set of experiences and considerations.
*Women and Girls: Throughout this resource, women and girls is inclusive of women and girls of trans experience and non-binary individuals.
*This resource is for anyone who identifies with, relates to, or wants to learn more about the life course of a woman flourishing with HIV.
In addition to the factors above, it is important to acknowledge the impact of institutionalized racism, sexism, and classism in the ability to equitably access resources and how systems of oppression affect well-being. This also includes biological histories, the impact of institutionalized oppression on mental wellness, systemic barriers, and inequitable access to a quality standard of living and health resources, and complexity of each life stage and their contribution to our ability to thrive and live in harmony.
This resource is for women and girls* by women to bring community, resources, and support to empower you to flourish – no matter where or what stage of life you are currently!
*Women and Girls: Throughout this resource, women and girls is inclusive of women and girls of trans experience, transgender persons, and non-binary individuals.
*This resource is for anyone who identifies with, relates to, or wants to learn more about the life course of a woman flourishing with HIV.