National Black Justice Coalition Commemorates National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON – Today, March 10, marks National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, accounting for 57% of all new HIV diagnoses among women in the United States.
In commemoration of NWGHAAD, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity to call attention to the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Black women and girls in the United States and to recognize the resilience and strength of those dealing with HIV/AIDS amid systemic issues such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, racism and anti-Blackness, sexism, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and stigma.
“We must recognize the unique challenges Black women and girls face in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensure that all women and girls have access to the information, resources, and care they need to protect themselves and those they love. We stand in solidarity with them and are committed to fighting for their health, autonomy, and ability to thrive.
“The stigma around HIV/AIDS continues to kill people and limits the advancements of scientific and medical research that can improve the lives of people most impacted by persistent health disparities and structural inequality. Our communities deserve better, and we will continue to fight to destigmatize the manufactured discrimination fueled by the politicization and hate surrounding this disease.”
The National Black Justice Coalition’s Director of Public Policy and Programs, Victoria Kirby York, added:
“The number one way Black women become HIV positive is through heterosexual sexual contact with heterosexual Black men. For rates of new transmissions in the Black community to decrease, we have to be honest about the facts to ensure everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is getting tested for HIV and educated about medications that will prevent transmission of the virus. We can stop HIV transmissions from happening and end this epidemic, but our community has to have the information and the resources to do so. Everyone has a role to play in educating the people in our lives ‘to know better so we can all do better.’”
Today, NBJC re-released a toolkit that includes information about testing, treatment, and tips for reducing the stigma facing Black women and girls regarding HIV/AIDS. The toolkit provides guidance on ways to start conversations about HIV/AIDS, including the use of social media, hosting events, or writing an article or an OpEd. It also includes shareable facts about how HIV/AIDS affects Black communities and medications that help curb its effects and transmission. It encourages readers to prioritize their holistic health, including sexual health.
