POLICY & ADVOCACY
PROGRAM
We take an intersectional approach to our advocacy as a matter of Human Rights and Reproductive Justice.
We apply the lens of Reproductive Justice to our concept of HIV policy issues and innovate community-based solutions to those issues from the grassroots up.
In order to meaningfully address the impact of HIV/AIDS and other sexual and reproductive oppressions on women of color, we center the experiences of those directly impacted by the epidemic and the social determinants of health that shape sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
To this end, SisterLove works in four broad advocacy areas, including:
HIV/AIDS PREVENTION TREATMENT AND CARE
HEALTH INEQUITIES & DISPARITIES
INTERSECTION OF SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RIGHTS, AND JUSTICE
STIGMA DISCRIMINATION VIOLENCE
OUR POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORK LARGELY ENTAILS:
ADMINISTRATIVE
ADVOCACY
We engage with the federal and state agencies to pursue (and defend against) policies that have an impact on communities of color, women, youth, and other key populations disparately impacted by prevailing reproductive health inequities and structural oppression.
MOVEMENT
BUILDING
We identify and mobilize a broad base of women and youth living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and other forms of reproductive oppression, through education, outreach, and public engagement.
COALITION
LEADERSHIP
We connect, consult, and collaborate with advocates at local, state, and national levels to ensure that diverse and marginalized voices are taken into account by policymakers.
THOUGHT
LEADERSHIP
We inform public debate on reproductive justice issues by producing intersectional policy writing intended to elevate diverse stakeholders’ understanding through online, print, radio, and television news sources.
PROFESSIONAL
TRAINING
We equip community and service providers with an awareness of the unique challenges facing women and communities of color, as well as tools to implement justice-based strategies in a variety of settings.
WE WORK
WITH
Our advocacy program centers and empowers people living with HIV (PLHIV) and communities disparately impacted by HIV and other sexual and reproductive health disparities.
Additionally, we seek to educate community service providers of the issues paramount to achieving equity and opportunity for our communities to thrive. Those providers include:
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Professional service providers including clinicians, attorneys, and researchers.
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Teachers, counselors, and other educators
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Community and religious organizations
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Social service organizations
credit: Cherise Richards Photography
WE RECOGNIZE
AND RESPOND TO
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HIV Stigma and Discrimination
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Reproductive justice and human rights frameworks and their application in service and advocacy settings
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Structural barriers to health equity
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Existing laws and policies to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, HIV status
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New opportunities to protect survivors
Our advocacy trainings and education empowers service providers and community members to become reproductive justice advocates on behalf of women and communities living with and affected by HIV.
