The 12th HIV Women’s Seminar, held on 3 October 2025 at Sorrento in the Park, brought together one of our largest and most diverse audiences yet. With 130 participants, including around 40 people living with HIV and a strong turnout of health professionals, community workers, and health promoters, the event reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces dedicated to the voices and experiences of people and especially women, living with HIV.
This year’s programme was crafted by women living with HIV, ensuring every topic reflected real-world issues, needs, and aspirations of the community. Throughout the day, attendees engaged with a wide range of speakers, from epidemiologists and clinicians to peer leaders, researchers, and women with lived experience.
The breadth of speakers and topics reflected the complexity of women’s experiences with HIV, as well as the rapidly evolving clinical, social, and cultural landscape of HIV in Aotearoa.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Over 96% of attendees reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the seminar content, and 95% expressed high satisfaction with the facilitation and delivery.
Key learning impacts included:
- 95% gained a greater understanding of HIV and the Law
- 98% increased knowledge of PrEP for women
- 95% deepened their understanding of HIV testing as a health promotion strategy
- 91% felt the seminar’s content would be helpful in their work
- Many participants indicated the seminar would influence changes in their practice
- These results highlight the seminar’s continued success in strengthening capability, awareness, and responsiveness across the sector.
The evaluation forms were full of heartfelt feedback, emphasising the power of lived experience, cultural insight, and professional expertise shared throughout the day. Many described the seminar as the best yet, deeply moving, and highly informative.
Some standout comments included:
- “The panel discussion was a real eye opener… listening to those strong women brought tears to my eyes.”
- “The best seminar since I've been attending. Clear and complete content. I loved it.”
- “Amazing stories… really moved me. Milly’s singing and the inspirational work being done was beautiful.”
- “Excellent presentations, valuable information and awareness.”
- “Very high-quality speakers and diverse content. Incredible to have this available at no cost.”
Participants also praised the food, venue, and organisational flow, with many expressing eagerness to return next year.
As always, the heart of the seminar was the space created for women living with HIV to speak openly about their lives. The panel Lifting the Lid on Hidden Realities offered a raw and honest look into the challenges women face, stigma, discrimination, navigating relationships and healthcare, and the resilience that sustains them. Their courage set the tone for a day imbedded in humanity, empathy, and shared learning.
This year’s HIV Women’s Seminar demonstrated the ongoing need for dedicated spaces that uplift women’s voices, strengthen professional practice, and build understanding across communities. With such high engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback, the 2025 seminar stands out as one of our most successful events to date.
Positive Women Inc. extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the presenters, attendees, supporters, and funders who made this day possible.
Through unity, shared knowledge, and compassion, we continue to move toward a future where women living with HIV are supported, understood, and empowered.
