Alice Welbourn

Alice Welbourn is Founding Director of the Salamander Trust and is on the steering group of the Athena Network. Diagnosed with HIV in 1992, she is a former chair of the International Community of Women living with HIV and developed the Stepping Stones training programme on gender, HIV, communication and relationship skills. Alice is a Commissiong Editor for the openDemocracy 50.50 platform AIDS, Gender and Human Rights.

Alice Welbourn es socia fundadora de Salamander Trust y forma parte del grupo de dirección de Athena Network. Fue diagnosticada de VIH en 1992, y fue la presidenta de la Comunidad Internacional de Mujeres con VIH y desarrollo el programa de entrenamiento Stepping Stones sobre género, VIH, y técnicas de comunicación y relaciones. Alice es encargada de la de la Edición de las plataformas sobre Enfermedades de transmisión sexual, género y derechos humanos de openDemocracy.

The diary of an AIDS activist: lost to temper and hungry for hope

“The real reason we haven’t beaten this epidemic boils down to one simple fact: we value some lives more than others” - Charlize Theron, speaking at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban.

By Alice Welbourn

/ 1 Aug 2016

HIV, AIDS and holistic healthcare: can spirituality and science meet?

The theme of next week's World Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa is 'Access, Equity, Rights Now'. Will its debates offer the whole answer to those preventing - or living with - HIV?

By Alice Welbourn

/ 15 Jul 2016

El confinamiento de Eva: solucionar el Ébola, el Zika y el SIDA con el cuerpo de la mujer

Hay claros paralelismos entre los tres grandes virus (Ébola, VIH y Zika) y la respuesta de la sanidad pública global y los persistentes, y muchas veces tóxicos, estereotipos de género. English

By Alice Welbourn and Susana T. Fried

/ 8 Mar 2016

The confinement of Eve: resolving Ebola, Zika and HIV with women’s bodies?

There are parallels between three major newsworthy viruses, Ebola, HIV and Zika, in relation to the global public health response and persistent and often toxic gender stereotypes. Español

By Alice Welbourn and Susana T. Fried

/ 29 Feb 2016

Welcome to our house: women living with HIV

The largest survey on women living with HIV, commissioned by the World Health Organisation, has revealed the stark truth about the gender-based violence and mental health challenges that positive women face.

By Alice Welbourn and Luisa Orza

/ 7 Dec 2015

HIV and AIDS: language and the blame game

The negative and dehumanizing language used by scientists discussing global HIV policy is sapping the soul of those on the receiving end. The call for an alternative language of nature and nurture must be heard.

By Alice Welbourn

/ 27 Jul 2015

No experts, saviours or victims: women living with HIV

Beyond bio-medical models, recent research has enabled a better psycho-social understanding of how women can access HIV treatment, if they want to, in stressful daily conditions.

By Alice Welbourn

/ 22 Jul 2015

HIV: witnessing the realisation of raw human rights

Fear of HIV disclosure and subsequent violent reactions are experienced globally. We know that rights-based approaches can create resilience and hope. So where is the political courage and will to make them happen?

By Alice Welbourn

/ 9 Dec 2014

AIDS and adolescents: denying access to health

With a 50% increase in AIDS-related deaths among young people, AIDS is now the second leading cause of their deaths. At the conclusion of the AIDS 2014 Conference, Alice Welbourn is left wondering whether anything is going to change in the HIV world for young women - and their children.

By Alice Welbourn

/ 29 Jul 2014

AIDS 2014 Conference: stepping up the pace and still on the wrong path

As the 20th International AIDS Conference opens in Melbourne this weekend, Alice Welbourn reflects on how global policies still fail to acknowledge the gender dimensions of this pandemic, or take into account the new broader medico-ethical debates which echo many of the concerns of women living wi

By Alice Welbourn

/ 18 Jul 2014

HIV: Violations or investments in women’s rights?

In the context of widespread sexual violence and its reciprocal links to HIV, Alice Welbourn reports on how the formal scientific evidence base alone is beginning to be recognized as not fit-for-purpose to safeguard women’s rights.

By Alice Welbourn

/ 22 Apr 2014

An end to AIDS?: Not through medication alone

In the world of HIV, the allure of the bio-medical techno-fix still attracts many policy makers. Meanwhile a parallel world of care, support, community spirit and women’s resilience still beats quietly. On World AIDS Day Alice Welbourn considers the future of the AIDS pandemic

By Alice Welbourn

/ 1 Dec 2013