Women

We’re here to help lesbian, bisexual, queer and same-sex attracted women (including trans and intersex women) take control of their health and wellbeing. 

We provide mental, sexual and reproductive health services, community support groups, safer sex ‘pleasure packs’ and a range of information on issues to support you. We also maintain strong connections with a network of health care providers and provide referral pathways for abortion and family planning services, sexual violence support and much more.

Women’s health and wellbeing

Triangle Project is a sex positive organisation that provides a range of services to support you. Our clinical services include:

  • HIV and STI testing
  • Referrals for accessing ARVs, PrEP and PEP
  • Referral pathways for STI treatment if required
  • Viral load and CD4 count testing for people living with HIV
  • ARV and TB treatment adherence monitoring and support
  • Pap smear for anyone with a cervix
  • General health check-up
  • Non-prescriptions medicines dispensing
  • Referral pathways for other health support services including alcohol and drug use, abortion and family planning and more

You can pick up Triangle’s safer sex ‘pleasure packs’ at our officer in Cape Town city centre, or from our outreach Community Care Workers and mobile clinic.

The Hub of Loving Action in Africa (HOLAA) is an amazing source of knowledge and conversations on all aspects of African sex and sexuality, including their Please Her: A safe sex and pleasure manual for African women.

Triangle Project has also undertaken research on women who have sex with women and HIV risk, which you can read here.

Cervical health

A pap smear, or cervical screening, is recommended if you have a cervix, have ever been sexually active (with anyone), and are over 25. Cervical cancer is caused by persistent cervical infection by high-risk HPV (human papilloma virus), which is sexually transmitted simply via skin contact. Around 1 in 41 women will develop cervical cancer in their lifetime. There are many strains of the virus, and only some can cause cancer. HPV is also the virus that causes genital warts.

Triangle Project offers pap smears to anyone with a cervix as our office and mobile clinic. At present in South Africa, three tests per lifetime are offered at public health facilities, commencing at the age of 30. If you have access to private health care, it is recommended to get tested every five years, from the age of 25.         

South Africa introduced a school-based HPV vaccination program in 2014, where girls aged 9-10 are offered the vaccination for free with parental consent.  The optimal time to receive the vaccination is before becoming sexually active, as the vaccination only prevents contracting HPV; it does not cure it once you have it. The vaccine is beneficial to everyone, whether you have a cervix or not. However, the cost can be prohibitive. Some medical aid policies might cover the cost, however the vaccine is not currently subsidised by the government.