Get all the facts! National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Fact Sheet (PDF, 332 KB)

About National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Home > About National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

• What is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD)?
• When is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?
• Why observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?
• How can I take action?

What is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD)?

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide observance coordinated by the Office on Women's Health (OWH), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its goal is to encourage people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls.

When is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

It is observed on March 10 every year, but OWH encourages organizations to hold events throughout the month of March.

Why observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue in the United States. Women of all ages can get HIV/AIDS, and they account for approximately 24 percent of all HIV diagnoses. Today, women represent a larger share of new HIV infections than they did earlier in the epidemic, with nearly 280,000 women living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Women of color are particularly affected, as they accounted for two-thirds (64%) of new AIDS diagnoses among women in 2010.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped make considerable strides in addressing these concerns and advancing equality for women and girls living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS in the United States. Consistent with the ACA, the President's National HIV/AIDS Strategy will help:

• Increase HIV testing and reduce the number of people who become infected with HIV
• Improve access to care and optimize health outcomes for people living with HIV
• Reduce HIV-related health disparities

For more information, visit the ACA page on AIDS.gov.

The ACA and National HIV/AIDS Strategy are two important steps in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but the federal government cannot do it alone. On National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, OWH calls on individuals and organizations across the country to take action and bring attention to the impact HIV/AIDS has on women and girls. As a partner or collaborator for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, you have the power to educate others, change behaviors, and help shape the future for women and girls.

How can I observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

There are many ways to observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Hold a screening event, work with government officials to issue a proclamation, spread the word through social media, or work with local media to write stories about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. For more ideas, visit our event and planning guides and templates.

Email Print

Content last updated January 24, 2013.