About us

Positive Women Network (PWN+) is considered to be India’s foremost organization and one of a kind which solely works for the women living with HIV. Traditionally and socially women are particularly and gravely affected by the impact of HIV/AIDS in India, gendered disadvantage, multiple inequalities, lack of power and decision making processes, economic dependence on others and many more factors are in making their life more vulnerable and crippled. Women’s issues had often been neglected or marginalized hitherto in response to HIV/AIDS and the birth of PWN+ in 1998 was marked the difference, by the urgency in aim to intervene on behalf of women. Based in Chennai, the network has been in the forefront for the last twenty years to make a positive and visible impact on the lives of HIV positive women in bettering their overall conditions in all levels and environs. As of moving in right direction, the one and only community based organization, PWN+ has developed a multilayered support base system for the women living with HIV, rendering information and advocacy for those who are needy, and put in place a right based approach for empowering them.

Formed by the women living with HIV, PWN+ had sooner than later, been responding to the changing needs of the time and transformed into a pan Indian presence. Over the years the organization has now spread across the nation by State Level Networks (SLNs) in 11 States, and more than 50, District Level Networks (DLNs) and an over 30,000 memberships.

PWN+ has now been recognized as an influential and strong advocate on the policy level and matters regarding the issues of women and children living with HIV and those who have been affected by it in the country. Through building collaborative relationships, PWN+ activities have now been covering up a plethora of issues which need urgent attention, such as prevention, ongoing stigma and discrimination, treatment, care and support, economic empowerment and rights of women/children living with HIV or affected by it. The Network also promotes social models of community strengthening and reaching out to women on ground level through education, activities that ensuring early prevention, support and advocacy programs.