HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. AIDS can develop if HIV is untreated. HIV/AIDS can be treated, but not cured.
Each year, the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is on March 10th. This day is used to bring awareness and also recognize how many individuals are affected by the disease on a daily basis. There are over 200,000 women and girls living with HIV today. In fact, the CDC reported that there were over 8,000 diagnoses of HIV/AIDS within one year.
We believe that this day is empowering for each woman and girl living with the STI. It shows every woman who has been diagnosed, that they are not alone and it does not equate to a death sentence. Despite their status, thousands of women are living healthy, happy lives.
Many of these women use their status as a platform to raise awareness to those who are not properly educated on the matter. Although the percentage of new women being diagnosed has declined, there are still many who are infected and have no idea. Therefore, the disease is unknowingly passed on from partner to partner. Individuals think that HIV/AIDS will never affect them, but it only takes one act to contract an STD or STI. Women and girls need to be able to understand the risks of unprotected sex, to adequately protect themselves.
As stated by AIDSinfo, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day promotes “prevention, testing and treatment”. Knowing your status is key because if the STI is left untreated, it can cause further harm to one’s immune system. As a whole, this day brings awareness to the youth to help them learn how to make safer decisions, in regards to their sexual behavior.
Some ways we all can reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS include:
- Getting tested
- Talking to your partner about each other’s status
- Always use condoms
- Do not share needles
