Frequently Asked Questions
Find an answer to some of our most frequently asked questions and
learn more about how to get involved in the Hub!
-
Why do we need resources for women and gender diverse people living with HIV?
-
Will I be compensated as a Hub member?
-
As a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV?
-
As a community-based organization?
-
As someone with a general interest in the Hub?
-
-
How can I be involved in the Hub?
-
As a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV?
-
As a community-based organization?
-
As someone with a general interest in the Hub?
-
Q&A
What is the Women-Centred HIV Care Hub?
The Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Hub aims to support women and gender diverse people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other
sexually-transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) in achieving their best possible health. We engage researchers, clinicians, community-based organisations (CBOs), and community members (women and gender diverse people living with or affected by HIV) and work with them to understand, use, and share the Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Model.
​
The WCHC Model is a holistic model of care that centres the unique, connected needs and concerns of women living with HIV.
Want to learn about the WCHC Model and how it can support your health and wellbeing?
Click the button for the toolkit for women!
​​​​
​​​
Want to learn about how you can use the WCHC Model with your clients and/or patients?
Click the button for the toolkit for service providers!
Why do we need resources for women and gender diverse people living with HIV?
Women and gender diverse people experience unique factors that impact their experience with HIV in comparison to men. Some of these differences include:
-
Globally, cisgender women and girls account for about 53% of HIV prevalence, and transgender (trans) people are around 13 times more likely to have HIV than other adults of reproductive age
-
Cisgender women and some gender diverse people are more biologically vulnerable to contracting HIV
-
Women and gender diverse people are more likely to experience gender-based violence, including rape and sexual violence
-
Structural and societal discrimination and stigma against women and gender diverse people pose greater barriers to accessing proper HIV care
Visibility in HIV data is also a major issue. A retrospective study published by CATIE in 2024 examined the prevalence of HIV in a cohort of over 1000 transgender women. A review of their medical charts found that over a third of the cohort was missing an HIV status completely.
Despite these gendered experiences, there are far fewer resources, services, and research-based recommendations available for women and gender diverse people seeking safe, gender-affirming, person-centred care. We need an intentional coordination of efforts, which the WCHC Hub aims to foster.
1
2
3
4
5
6
What is a sub-hub? Why are they important?
A sub-hub is a smaller team within the WCHC Hub’s national network. The WCHC Hub operates across several provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, and includes community members, community-based organisations (CBOs), clinicians, researchers (and more!) that share our vision. Along with the five regional sub-hubs, there are three population-specific sub-hubs in the Hub network, including sub-hubs prioritizing Indigenous Women, Trans Women and Gender Diverse People (TGD) and African, Caribbean and Black Women (ACB). Each sub-hub is led by one or more leads and its communications are managed by one or more coordinators, though the sub-hub itself includes many more members. These sub-hubs allow for community-based, tailored regional and/or population-specific approaches to our knowledge sharing work. We engage researchers, clinicians, community-based organisations (CBOs), and community members (women and gender diverse people living with or affected by HIV) and work with them to understand, use, and share the Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Model.
Click on a sub-hub to learn more!
Can anyone be a WCHC Hub member?
Yes! The WCHC Hub is supported by an expansive network of community members, researchers, and clinicians, meaning there are a variety of different ways to get involved! From actively participating in weekly events, to reading up on the Hub’s latest activities through the bi-monthly newsletter, there is no shortage of flexible activities to be involved in. See the “how can I be involved” section for more details. The Hub is completely free to join and will never request a membership fee from any individuals or organizations.
Will I be compensated as a Hub member?
As a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV?
If you are a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV who is interested in becoming a Hub member, we would love to work with you! The WCHC Hub is passionate about working with community members in alignment with our values of respect, EDIA-DIR (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Decolonization and Indigenous Rights), and GIPA/MEWA (Greater Involvement of People Living With HIV/AIDS / Meaningful Engagement of Women Living With HIV/AIDS). In our continued commitment to these values, all community members (women and gender diverse people with lived experience with HIV) will be compensated for their time in accordance with the WCHC Hub's Payment Policy.​
​
​
As someone connected with a community-based organization?
If you are a community-based organization (CBO) interested in connecting with the WCHC Hub, we would love to work together! The WCHC Hub is completely free to join and no membership fee will be collected from any individuals or the organization at any point in time.
In accordance with the WCHC Hub's Payment Policy, although we highly value all collaborations, partner organizations will not be compensated for their work with the WCHC Hub. However, community members within the organization may be eligible for compensation through the Payment Policy based on their involvement in the collaborations. For more information, please see the section on compensation "as a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV."
​
As someone with a general interest in the Hub?
If you are someone with a general interest in the Hub, we would love to collaborate! The WCHC Hub is completely free to join and no membership fee will be collected from any individuals or the organization at any point in time.
​
In accordance with the WCHC Hub's Payment Policy, while we greatly appreciate all collaborative work done for and with the Hub, we prioritize the remuneration of women and gender diverse people living with HIV and, as such, all work done by non-community members would be on a voluntary basis. Find more information on our Payment Policy through the button below.
​
​
How can I be involved with the Hub?
As a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV?
If you are a woman or gender diverse person living with HIV and are interested in being involved with the WCHC Hub, there are many options available! In the Hub’s regular programming, there are many events that welcome anyone with an interest in the WCHC Hub (or just the health and wellbeing of women and gender diverse people living with HIV!) to join. There are discussions on navigating academia, understanding the frameworks of the WCHC Model, learning about the lived experiences of women living with HIV and their journeys, and more!
​
The Women’s Community Leadership Team is composed of women and gender diverse people living with HIV. They are central to the WCHC Hub’s operations and are highly involved in Hub activities. If you are interested in being involved with the Women’s Community Leadership Team or would like to learn more, please contact one of the coordinators: Esther and Asha.
​
As someone connected with a community-based organization?
If you run or are otherwise affiliated with a community-based organization (CBO) interested in connecting with the WCHC Hub, we would love to get in contact!
If you are a nationally-operated CBO or want to explore the best fit for your membership,
please contact our central coordinator.
​
If you are a provincially-operated CBO, please contact the relevant coordinator for that province
through the contact us page.
If you are a CBO that works with one of our priority populations, please contact the relevant coordinator
through the contact us page.
​
​
As someone with a general interest in the Hub?
If you have a general interest in the Hub, or are unsure about your options, contact the WCHC Hub’s central coordinator! They will be able to connect with you on a more personal level and redirect you appropriately.
Contact central coordinator: Logan Kennedy at logan.kennedy@wchospital.ca
​
Some faster ways of getting involved with the Hub include joining our mailing list, following our bi-monthly newsletter,
or joining in on events!
​
​