News & Events
Explore the latest updates from the WHAI community.
Upcoming Events
International Overdose Awareness Day
Searching
12:00pm - 1:30pm
WCHC Hub and WHAI Lunch & Learn: Women-Centred HIV Care Pocketbook
Join the WCHC Hub's Ontario Sub-Hub and the Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative (WHAI) for a Lunch & Learn on June 26th from 12PM-1:30PM EDT. This Lunch & Learn will be a total of 90 minutes and is set to follow a 'Train the Trainer' model. We will be introducing and unpacking the Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Pocketbook, a resource that workers can utilize to better support women and gender diverse people living with HIV. The goal of this Lunch & Learn session is to build the capacity of WHAI Coordinators, and other staff in the HIV sector who support women living with HIV, to advocate for better service and treatment. There will be also an introduction of the Women-Centred HIV Care Model and some role playing to support in learning.
Register
12:00pm - 1:30pm
International Overdose Awareness Day
Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose. It is a global platform that provides tools, resources and a space for communities to connect and drive change. Through events – both in person and online – communities honor lives lost, educate their families, friends and peers, and explore evidence-based overdose prevention solutions.
Find Local Events
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Clinical Talk: Congenital Syphilis
In this session, Dr. Ameeta Singh - Clinical Professor and esteemed researcher-advocate in HIV/STI care and planning - will be discussing the significance of congenital syphilis in Canada. From the implications of current health data to understanding future action and research on the topic, the event will stimulate important discussion on this growing issue. Join Dr. Singh and the rest of the WCHC Hub for this important Clinical Talk, followed by an opportunity for open Q&A!
Register
1:00pm - 2:00pm
A Spotlight On African, Caribbean, and Black Women’s Data from CHIWOS
The Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) was a national project focused on generating knowledge about, and to support, women living with HIV in Canada. Since CHIWOS ended, more than 60 articles have been published on its findings, and the data sets retrieved from the project continue to inspire new discussions and insights into women's health. In this Hub Talk, join the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) Women Sub-Hub Coordinator, Muna Aden, in exploring how the results of CHIWOS uniquely relate to the health of ACB women, and how we can leverage this data to support health equity for ACB communities!
Register
Doors Open: 6:30pm, Event time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Our Bodies Our Business Film Screening
Join us for the International Sex Workers’ Rights Day film screening on June 2nd 7pm-8:30pm! Gather to watch the free screening of the film Our Bodies Our Business that documents the historic work of sex worker rights activists at the 1989 International Conference on AIDS in Montreal. Afterward, stick around to hear from a panel of local activists and workers about their experiences and how we can all work in solidarity for sex workers rights and safety in Niagara. Food will be provided. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/film-screening-international-sex-workers-rights-day • Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists' Common, St. Catharines • Room 156 (bottom floor near the lobby) Accessibility Information • There is accessible parking • The building has an elevator and ramps • Accessible washrooms on site • Light food and refreshments will be provided • The film will have captions
Register
11:00am - 12:30pm
Coming out . . . while becoming Canadian
We are so pleased to announce the first in a series of webinars we will be hosting on topics relating to priority populations. Our aims with this project are to forge new relationships with service providers and community networks, start or enhance critical discussions, increase service provider capacity and, ultimately, better serve equity deserving populations.
Register
1:00 - 2:00pm
WCHC Hub Clinical Talk: Study Findings – UK Nourish – HIV & Infant Feeding
Join to learn more from Bakita Kasadha who sits at the intersection of social science and organizing work. Her background is in HIV advocacy and research. She is interested in using participatory and arts-based methods in long-term health and co-morbidities research.
Register
10:30am - 12:00pm
Sexual Health for Older Adults
Join Jocelle Refol, Addison Brash (Realize Canada), and Thomas Egdorf (Casey House) for a conversation on sexual health and aging in the context of HIV. The session will highlight the Sexuality and Sexual Health for Older People (SHOP) Toolkit developed by Realize Canada.
Register
3:00 - 6:00pm
Join THRIVE HIV Prevention & Support (formerly ACCWKA) for their rebrand celebration!
Please join us in celebrating the launch of a new era: Together We THRIVE. All ages welcome. Location: 1770 King Street East #unit 5 Kitchener, ON N2G 2P1
Register
1:00 - 2:30pm
Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Virtual Event: HIV/AIDS, Harm Reduction and 2SLGBTQIA+ History
This webinar brings together people who lived and organized through the HIV/AIDS epidemic and those currently working at the intersections of harm reduction, drug policy, Indigenous rights, and HIV/AIDS. Together, we’ll explore how these movements began, the victories communities won, and how solidarity can help us uphold health, dignity and justice for all people.
Register
Project ACE Recruitment
Project ACE are inviting 280–300 community members across Calgary, Edmonton, the Greater Toronto Area, London, Niagara, and Ottawa to take part in Phase 3 of Project ACE. This free six-week training program is designed to strengthen community-led responses to HIV stigma through reflection, skill-building, and shared action. Each training cohort will be co-led by trained facilitators from your local community. Graduates of our Train-the-Trainer program will work alongside Project ACE staff to create safe, inclusive, and engaging learning spaces. If you are living with, affected by, or vulnerable to HIV, you are invited to explore this opportunity.
Read More
10:00 - 11:30am
Introduction to HIV & Aging
This one and a half hour session will cover the basics on HIV and Aging. The main topics are Overview of aging with HIV; Sexual Health and Activity; Comorbidities; Mental Health; Financial Considerations. The target audience for this webinar are staff working with people aging with HIV.
Register
10:00 - 11:30am
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2025
Event details coming soon.
Read More
10:00 - 11:30am
International Women’s Day 2025
WHAI wishes all Trans and Cis women, 2-Spirited and Non-Binary femme people a Happy International Women’s Day. Event details coming soon.
Read More
2:00 - 3:30pm EST
Expressions of Envy, Anger, Guilt, and Shame in Organizational Dynamics
This virtual session delves into how emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, and envy can manifest in the workplace, especially in high-stress environments like HIV care. We’ll explore strategies for managing these emotions to foster a psychologically safe and supportive work culture.
Register
1:00 - 2:30pm EST
Addressing rising syphilis rates among women in Canada
This webinar explores the rapid increase in syphilis cases among women in Canada over recent years, examining the social determinants of health, systemic barriers to care and intersecting forms of discrimination that drive the epidemic. Speakers discuss current and historic trends across national and regional contexts, including the similarly steep increase in congenital syphilis, which occurs when the infection is passed to a fetus during pregnancy.
Register
6:00pm
Breakaway presents Karaoke For A Cause!
Breakaway Community Services is holding another KARAOKE FOR A CAUSE fundraiser on February 27th Three Dollar Bill 1592 Queen Street West Toronto - doors at 6:00pm🎙️🎤
Get Tickets
1:00 - 2:30pm EST
Insights from leaders in HIV prevention among African, Caribbean and Black communities
Explore the HIV prevention landscape within African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities through this panel discussion with leading experts. This webinar explores unique systemic challenges these communities face, including barriers rooted in anti-Black racism, stigma and inequitable access to culturally relevant services.
Register
10:30 - 12:00pm EST
Working with Transgender and Non-Binary Patients/Clients: A Guide for Front Line Workers and Healthcare Providers
During this virtual session focused on Transgender and Non-Binary people, we will explore the demographics in Canada; the Social and Political Issues; and review the basics of clinical care and issues.
Register
1:30 - 2:30pm
Strawberry Ceremony 2025
Join us to mark the 20th year that we hold ceremony at Toronto Police Headquarters - 40 College St, Toronto - for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans and Two-Spirit people (MMIWGT2S) and the passing of beloved Elder Wanda Whitebird who led this event for 19 years.
Learn More
3:00 - 7:00pm
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at TAIBU
Please join the AYA Circle of Care team, a partnership between the Black Health Equity Lab, University of Toronto Scarborough, TAIBU Community Health Centre and Moyo Community Services, on Friday to recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Register
3:00 - 7:00pm
National African, Caribbean, and Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2025
On National African, Caribbean, and Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we honour and support our friends at The African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO) in their work.
Support
1:00 - 2:00pm
Women-Centred HIV Care: Sub Hub Talk
In this panel-style Hub Talk, the Women's Community Leadership Team (WCLT) will discuss the ongoing impacts of HIV Criminalization in Canada through a community lens.
Register
6:00 - 9:00pm
Reseau Access Network hybrid event: Building Inclusive Communities in Collective Care
Building Inclusive Communities in Collective Care is a women-centred event focused on information sharing and connection around newcomer women, GBV, and HIV.
Register
1:00 - 2:00pm EST / 10:00 -11:00am PST
WCHC Hub presents: Aging with HIV
Join us for an virtual informative session where presenter Dr. Elizabeth King will present on managing aging with HIV and answer your questions about menopause, mental health, nutrition, and medication management.
Register
1:00-2:00pm EST / 10:00-11:00am PST
WCHC Hub presents: Next Steps in Intersectional Feminism
As part of the on AEHR/ Frameworks, Values & Rights Series, this session will present actionable strategies to champion equitable healthcare for people of all gender identities.
Register
WHAI’s Statement on Closing of Supervised Consumption Sites
Following the announcement on August 19th, 2024 from Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones about the closure of 10 supervised consumption sites, WHAI unequivocally stands in solidarity with those who will be affected by these decisions.
Download Statement
All Day (GMT-05:00)
Trans Day of Remembrance 2024
Toronto in-person & virtual event - The 519 commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR). Join us to honour the lives of the 2 Spirit, trans, and non-binary siblings we have lost to transphobia, hate crimes, illness, substance use, suicide, misogyny, institutional and legislative violence, and murder.
Learn More
Prisoner Justice Day 2024 – Letter from ASOs and ASO colleagues
The African Caribbean Council on HIV in Ontario (ACCHO), Prisoner’s HIV/AIDS Support Action Network (PASAN), Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative of Ontario (WHAI), Ontario AIDS Network (OAN), and Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH), call on our communities across Ontario to acknowledge Prisoner Justice Day (PJD) this August 10th, 2024, and to extend our commitment to addressing the harms perpetrated by the prison system throughout the year.
Read Letter
WHAI Statement of Solidarity – Sex Work Decriminalization
The Women and HIV / AIDS Initiative (WHAI) stands in solidarity with sex workers and sex workers’ rights initiatives across Ontario in support of full sex work decriminalization.
Download Statement
Call to Action: Stop racist attacks from harmful anti-trafficking organizations against Asian massage parlours and sex workers
Three months after the murder in Atlanta including the six Asian women who worked in massage parlours, anti-Asian, anti-massage parlours and anti-sex work hate has not ended.
Sign The Statement
Prisoners Justice Day 2022 – Joint Letter
WHAI, along with other AIDS Service Organizations across the province, has created a joint letter in support of Prisoner Justice Day.
Read Letter
WHAI’s Statement on Reproductive Justice
Reproductive Justice advocacy is of critical importance to WHAI work. As we continue to build community capacity to respond to social, health, gender and race inequities, including Reproductive Justice and abortion access, let’s stand together and strengthen our work.
Download Statement
Monkeypox Resources
Public Health Ontario has developed interim guidance on the use of the smallpox vaccine Imvamune as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against Monkeypox.
Read Guidelines
Maclean’s: Bringing an end to HIV-related stigma in Canada
This article & video follows Muluba. HIV-positive from birth, her journey was never going to be easy. When medical innovation offered her a chance at a long and healthy life, it turned out the battle was still only half won.
Read Article
The Body: Not Just Gay Men – Honoring the Stories of Women With HIV 40 Years Later
The repeated neglect in HIV narratives is reminiscent of why women with HIV and activist allies were forced to protest the government and yell chants like, “Women don’t get AIDS, they just die from it,” in the early years of the epidemic.
Read Article
WHAI Statement on Anti-Black, Anti-Indigenous, Anti-Asian Racism, and all forms of Racism
The Women and HIV / AIDS Initiative (WHAI) is deeply committed to dismantling systems of white privilege, white supremacy and antiBlack, anti-Indigenous, and anti-Asian racism, and to doing so in a way that acknowledges the many realities and manifestations of colonial violence and creates systems of shared and collective accountability.
Download Statement Declaration of Support: Justice for Migrant Sex Workers
We are grieving the 8 people murdered in Atlanta. They died because of unjust, racist and whorephobic laws. In their honour, we raise #8CallsforJustice.
Sign The Statement
Asian Community AIDS Services Statement on Anti-Asian Racism
Once again, the murders on March 16 are yet another reminder of the constant sorrow Asian communities are facing as a result of the escalation of violent acts that leave Asians dead in their wake.
Sign The Statement
African, Caribbean, and Black Initiative Survey
This African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) initiative is to provide a safe space for people of all ages who identify as HIV+ LGBTQ+ Women and Non-Binary Folks. We hope to create a space for connection, mutual respect, and validation as we share our unique journeys. Our strength is in our diversity: age, shape, sexuality, gender expression and spiritual beliefs. We have been under-represented and under-served in all facets of well-being. Please join us in re-writing the script by sharing your ideas about how to create a space that advances our wellbeing.
Complete Survey