Positive Action is a partnership between the pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare and communities around the world affected by HIV and AIDS. The Positive Action Southern Initiative (PASI) was established in 2010 to specifically address the epidemic in the South, where the number of incidences of HIV and AIDS exceeds that of the national average. PASI hosts interactive webinars that bring together members from varous community based organizations.

The June 30th webinar was titled "Empowerment and Cultural Change: Engaging Women with HIV and Using Narrative to Breakdown Stigma and Improve Care" and featured two advocacy organizations that work with women in the South. SisterLove, Inc. was founded in Atlanta, Georgia with the mission to help women and their families affected by HIV/AIDS or other reproductive health challenges through education, prevention and support services, and human rights advocacy. The Rural Women's Health Project (RWHP) empowers women in rural communities in Florida to take control of their health care through community-based, health-education projects and trainings. After representatives from both organizations gave a brief introduction, there was a moderated discussion about their respective community advocacy programming and how they use patient narratives to address stigma and improve care for women with HIV.

SisterLove offers Health Education, Advocacy, Prevention, and Leadership programs, but their "Everyone Has a Story" initiative was specifically highlighted during the webinar. This mini-documentary features commentary from women living with HIV on how they work to overcome the challenges of living with the virus. By sharing these personal experiences, the organization seeks to inspire other women to become their own health advocates.

RWHP's "Let's Talk About It" (LTAI) program uses similar strategies to connect with women living in rural parts of Florida. This program addresses challenges faced by women living with HIV including stigma, disclosure, isolation, and transportation through peer advocacy. The organization hosts events, distributes educational materials, and provides other resources incorporating authentic stories from advocates to inspire other women to seek treatment and become their own advocates for better healthcare.

The negative stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS is one of the hardest challenges to address in this fight against HIV.  However, as one panelist stated during the webinar, every negative encounter with stigma is an opportunity for education.

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