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The Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI) is a partnership with national organizations committed to addressing HIV/AIDS in African American and Hispanic/Latino communities.
On March 10th, AAALI partners will observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is a day to recognize the special risks HIV/AIDS poses for women and girls, and to raise awareness of the disease's increasing impact on them.
In the United States, HIV/AIDS continues to take a staggering toll on women and girls. More than 25% of HIV diagnoses in the United States are among women and girls aged 13 years and older.
Women of color are especially hard hit. In 2007, the rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among Black females was nearly 20 times as high as the rate for white females and nearly 4 times as high as the rate for Hispanic/Latino females. HIV/AIDS is a common killer of women – third only to cancer and heart disease; and every 35 minutes a woman in the United States tests positive for HIV.
Women have unique issues and challenges that can make it difficult for them to prevent HIV or take care of themselves if diagnosed. These challenges can include biological differences, motherhood, the presence of certain undiagnosed/untreated STDs/STIs, power imbalances, and financial insecurity. For more information on HIV prevention challenges among women, click here.
As individuals and communities, we all have a part to play in stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. We are our Sisters Keepers.
We are asking you to:
- Get the facts about HIV. Learn how HIV is spread, if you are at risk, and how to protect yourself and loved ones. To get the facts, click here
- Know your HIV status. CDC estimates that 1 in 5 people in the U.S. living with HIV are unaware of their status. 80% of new HIV infections in American women and girls result from sex with an infected male partner. Knowing your HIV status and that of your male sexual partner/s is critical. For a list of testing centers in your area, visit www.hivtest.org or text your ZIP Code to KNOW IT (566948).
- Seek medical attention if HIV positive. Early diagnosis of HIV allows for counseling and prompt treatment. HIV treatment prolongs life and reduces the risk of further HIV transmission. If you are a pregnant woman, it is especially important that you get tested to help ensure you do not unintentionally transmit the virus to your unborn child.
- Participate in our tweet-up, “Surviving: Our Sistas’ Keeper,” on March 10, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., EST. Join or follow the discussion on Twitter with #OSK and #AAALI.
We are asking local chapters and affiliates to:
- Work with your local media to increase awareness about the severity of the epidemic and the continued impact HIV is having on women and girls;
- Organize a walk and mobilize your communities to overcome the challenges and barriers to HIV prevention;
- Facilitate a group discussion to fight ignorance and complacency related to HIV;
- Hold a free screening or health fair to educate people on HIV prevention services, HIV testing, and available medical care and treatments;
- Develop articles and stories about the impact of HIV on women and girls to prevent stigma and discrimination—and increase support for people living with HIV.
For more information on this day, theme, and related events please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Women's Health website. To find a list of related activities taking place nationwide, click here.
