March 10th marks the 13th observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health leads nationwide observance that sheds light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls.
Each year throughout the month of March, federal, national and community organizations come together to show support for women and girls impacted by the diseases. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population living with HIV/AIDS are women with African American and Hispanic women being the largest rate of infection among women groups.
This year’s theme is Prevention Starts with Me. This theme emphasizes the role that everyone has to play in HIV/AIDS prevention whether they are already infected or not.
Despite common misconceptions, there are very few ways one can become infected with HIV/AIDS. Those ways are:
- Having unprotected sex with someone that is infected
- Sharing needles or syringes with someone that is infected
- Childbirth and breastmilk
- Blood transfusions
Women’s Health.Gov lists the ways you can protect yourself andyour partner from HIV/AIDS infection which include:
- Getting an HIV test which is free and confidential. You can visit the Center for Disease Control’s Get Tested website to find a testing location near you.
- Practicing safe sex
- If you are HIV negative and your partner is positive, talk to a doctor about taking pre-exposure prophylaxis which is a daily pill that reduces your risk of getting HIV by more than 90%
- Visiting a doctor right away if you believe you have been exposed to the disease.
If you are not HIV positive or you do not know anyone who is, you can still participate and observe the day. There are many events hosted around the country including the “POWER Project of Chase Brexton Health Care.” The organization is hosting a screening of the documentary titled “It's Not Over” which tells the story of three millennials living with or affected by the HIV/AIDS disease.
The documentary will be screened in Baltimore, MD. For more information about this event visit Eventbrite.com for details. You can look for events happening in your city by reaching out to both public and private organizations.
If there are no events happening in your city you can spread awareness and show support via social media using the hashtags #NWGHAAD and #ICanStopHIV.
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Let’ stand together in support of women and girls across the country infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Raising awareness surrounding protection and prevention saves the lives of millions of women and girls in the future!
Lisa Hammond is a 24-year old faith and lifestyle blogger from Cleveland, OH. With a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cleveland State University, Lisa’s goal is to become a journalist, speaker, and author motivating women across the world.
