AroundHarlem.com and Around-NYC.com are joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by providing information on resources and events concerning the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
We are also participating in The Red Pump Project. The Project is a collection of women bloggers (75 105 at last count) who are committed to educating their readers about the HIV/AIDS virus. A Red Pump was chosen to represent the strength and courage of women fighting HIV/AIDS or those affected by the disease both directly and indirectly. For a list of participating blogs, check out the blog roll by clicking here.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Families, health organizations, businesses, communities, the government and individuals are coming together to provide support, encourage discussion and educate women and girls about practicing safe methods and the importance of getting tested.
As we mentioned previously, Harlem is the center of the AIDS epidemic in the Black and Hispanic community. The Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) recently stated that according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
- 58% of new HIV infections in women are Black and Hispanic
- 1 in 3 New Yorkers living with HIV is a woman
- 94% of new HIV infections in teenage females are Black and Hispanic
They also state that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Unites States:
- 33% of new AIDS cases are women
- 1 in 4 teenage females — or 3.2 million — is infected with at least one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases — human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis.
The GHMC is asking people to join them at a rally on the steps of City Hall. They are asking people to join women and girls of all ages, gender identities and sexual orientations, leadership of AIDS service organizations, teachers, elected officials, clergy and supporters at the steps of City Hall to protest budget cuts in health care and to shed light on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in NYC.
Below are other HIV/AIDS Awareness events around the city. Click the links for details.
March 10th
- Women and Girl HIV/AIDS Awareness Event Sponsored by Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development (Bronx) — A day of testing, food, information, and giveaways regarding women and girls
- Ladies, Can We Talk? Sponsored by Faces NY (Harlem) — An array of service providers, guest panelists, continental breakfast and lunch, door prizes/raffles, and more.
- Free Rapid HIV Testing Sponsored by The Ryan Center (Midtown Manhattan)
March 14th
- HIV/AIDS Awareness Discussion Sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women (Bronx) — Distribution of information at the joint Mass Meeting of the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society and the Christian Education Department of the AME Zion Church. Women, girls, men and young boys will be in attendance from churches around the city.
- Bridging the Intergenerational Gap: A Conference for Women and Girls Sponsored by Bronx Aids Services (Bronx) — Conference with keynote speakers, breakout sessions workshops, young girls theater performance, raffles, on site HIV testing and giveaway bags.
March 18th
- Taking on The Challenges of Change Sponsored by Bronx Lebanon Hospital (Bronx) — This one day forum will encourage networking, collaboration and sharing of information and resources.
March 21st
- Own Your Power: Saving Our Selves: A Health Summit for Young Women of Color Sponsored by Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition (Brooklyn) — The Coalition will host a health summit for 150 – 200 young women ages 15-24. The Summit will feature workshops on health topics including teen pregnancy,stress, sexually transmitted infections, domestic and partner violence; finance and money management; and education and career opportunities.
March 23rd
- The Impact of HIV on Women and Girls Sponsored by GMHC and Iris House (Harlem) — Iris House is partnering with GMHC’s Women’s Institute on HIV: We’re Not Taking it Lying Down which targets black and Hispanic women. The We’re Not Taking it Lying Down campaign speaks to the empowerment of women and girls. A community forum will feature a Train the Trainer section for those wanting to learn how to teach others the basics of HIV as well as free onsite HIV testing.
For more information about HIV/AIDS Awareness in your community and to find out more information on HIV/AIDS among women and girls, please visit the official website by clicking here.
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Hotep! This is great information. I am part of the Red Pump Project as well. Anyhow, I invite your blog readers to check out our groupsite dedicated to HIV/AIDS Awareness on a 365/24/7 basis.
peace, Villager
i wonder when are we going to have the cure for HIV/AIDS ? we are living on an age with very high technology but still we have not found a cure for this disease.