Bridging the Gap between Black Feminist Theory and HIV Prevention Programs for Black Women and Girls

ISSUE: As the rates of HIV continue to soar among women and girls of color, health educators are advocating for more relevant approaches to HIV prevention interventions. Primarily due to its perceived radical discourse, black feminist theory remains underutilized in public health. This presentation provides evidence of two case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of black feminist theory in shaping HIV prevention for women and girls.

PROJECT: Since 2007, the GEMS (Girls Empowered and Motivated to Succeed) program has served approximately 400 girls using black feminist theoretical frameworks in 15 HIV prevention modules. Another program also conceptualized using black feminism, the RISE (Reaching and Intervening with Survivors Effectively) program, has assisted over 200 women in domestic violence shelters and substance abuse treatment to integrate sexual safety planning into their individual case management plans.

RESULTS: Process evaluation data indicate that black feminism is effective in shaping the core elements and implementation activities of HIV prevention programs where black women and girls are the priority populations. The GEMS and RISE HIV prevention interventions effectively integrated five themes in black feminist theory as guiding principles for providing HIV prevention to women and girls in community settings. Theme one (self-definition and self-valuation) facilitated a process by which the GEMS and RISE program participants redefine themselves and place a value on their lives as a precursor to contemplating behavioral changes. Theme two (race, class, and gender) shaped group-level discussions on the “equally oppressive” dimensions of race, class and gender in the lives of poor black women at risk for HIV. Theme three (controlling images) provided a way for the GEMS and RISE interventions to help women reject the internalization of negative and often externally defined controlling images that manifest as HIV risk factors. Theme four (unique experiences) incorporated individual components where women and girls can discuss in private certain high-risk behaviors. Finally, theme five (structure and agency) gives health educators a platform from which to advocate for structural and systemic changes that continue to result in higher rates of HIV among black women and girls in comparison to other cohorts.