National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an essential annual initiative on March 10th, aiming to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS’ impact on women and girls worldwide. Despite progress in combating the epidemic, women continue to be disproportionately affected. Let’s take a look at the unique challenges women face regarding HIV/AIDS, NWGHAAD’s significance, and how you can support the cause.
The Disproportionate Impact on Women
HIV/AIDS prevalence, new infection and AIDS-related death are higher among adult women than men. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 19.6 million women and girls are living with HIV, accounting for over half of all adults with the virus. In 2020, 880,000 women were newly infected with HIV, and 300,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. Overall, women are 1.62 times more likely than men to be living with HIV.
Several factors contribute to this disproportionate impact on women, including:
Biological factors: Female-bodied people are more susceptible to contracting HIV through heterosexual intercourse than male-bodied people. This increased vulnerability stems from the female reproductive system’s larger surface area, including the vaginal and cervical mucous membranes, which provide more entry points for the virus. On top of that, female-bodied people with HIV-positive male partners face a higher likelihood of transmission due to a higher viral load in semen than vaginal fluids. And for the hat trick: some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) heighten the risk of HIV transmission, but women with STIs often remain asymptomatic, leaving them unaware of their increased vulnerability.
Gender inequality: In many parts of the world, women face barriers to accessing sexual health information, education, and resources, and gender-based violence and unequal power dynamics in relationships may limit a woman’s ability to negotiate safer sex practices, such as condom use.
Economic dependence: Women who rely on their partners financially may be less able to negotiate condom use or leave relationships that put them at risk of HIV infection.
Women with HIV/AIDS not only face potential discrimination and stigma, which can result in isolation and poor mental health outcomes, but they also encounter unique challenges such as the risk of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy and childbirth. The stigma associated with the disease can further create barriers to education and employment opportunities.
Improving Outcomes for Women and Girls Living with HIV/AIDS
Despite these challenges, there are steps we can take to improve outcomes for women and girls living with HIV/AIDS. Here are some strategies to consider:
Increase access to HIV testing and treatment: Expand testing programs and ensure access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all women. ART suppresses the virus, prevents transmission, and improves health outcomes.
Address stigma and discrimination: Combat stigma and discrimination through community education, support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and policy advocacy.
Tackle social determinants of health: Improve access to education, housing, and healthcare while promoting policies that empower women economically and address systemic racism.
Address gender-based violence: Educate communities on healthy relationships, support survivors, and advocate for policies that protect their rights.
Promote research: Encourage research on HIV/AIDS’ impact on women and girls, including biological factors and interventions that improve health outcomes and reduce transmission.
How You Can Join the Fight
Wondering how you can support National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and join the fight against HIV/AIDS among women? Check out these ideas:
Educate yourself and others: Learn about HIV/AIDS, its impact on women and girls, and the importance of prevention, testing, and treatment. Share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to raise awareness.
Promote testing: Encourage the women in your life to get tested for HIV, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve health outcomes.
Advocate for policies and programs: Support policies and programs that aim to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, such as comprehensive sex education, access to female condoms, and services for survivors of gender-based violence.
Support organizations working on women’s HIV/AIDS issues: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by women living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges women and girls face in the fight against HIV/AIDS. By raising awareness, promoting education, and advocating for targeted policies and programs, we can unite in the battle against HIV/AIDS for women and girls globally. This year, let’s spotlight women’s HIV/AIDS issues, ignite conversations on gender equality and healthcare access, and support organizations striving for a brighter, healthier future. Enhanced testing and treatment access, tackling stigma, addressing social determinants of health, combating gender-based violence, and promoting research will alleviate the HIV/AIDS burden on women and girls.
HIV/AIDS is more than a health issue — it’s a social and economic concern. Tackling its root causes demands a comprehensive approach addressing the underlying social and economic factors driving the disease.
As we reflect on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let’s renew our commitment to addressing the epidemic and promoting the health and well-being of all women and girls. By working together, we can improve outcomes for women and girls living with HIV/AIDS and ultimately, reduce the burden of the epidemic on our communities.
Kae Burdo
Kae Burdo is a queer and poly Oklahoma-based freelance writer and digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in alternative sexuality and relationship education and advocacy. Their passions include travel, sour beers, international politics, the vast range of human sexuality, cross-stitching, intersectional feminism, and technology and startups. Follow them on twitter @kaeburdo.
