How ACT Makes a Difference:
Positive Work for Positive Women

Positive Work for Positive Women (PWPW) is a unique program to ACT that assists African and Caribbean women living with HIV/AIDS with employment skills training and support to develop and launch their own businesses – including a seed grant to help with start-up costs.

PWPW also addresses issues of self-esteem, stigma, independence, disclosure and quality of life – all of which can be barriers for women living with HIV in the workforce.

The pilot project, funded by the M·A·C AIDS Fund, began in 2010 and saw six women graduate and launch their individual enterprises which ranged from catering to tutoring to beauty, jewellery, and knitwear. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with the women acknowledging the opportunity to realize their entrepreneurial dreams, capital to launch their businesses, and a means to achieve financial independence.