BY: Ashley Blackwell
Published 2 months ago
Contrary to popular reports, HIV affects the female population more than many may believe. Today, we’re shedding light on National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and how the sufferers (and supporters) can participate in this monumental occurrence. Keep reading for a crash course on the significance of the annual marker.
As you may (or may not) know, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the human immune system. Per the World Health Organization, the sickness targets the white blood cells, weakening the body’s defense and making it less resistant to other illnesses. According to the agency, HIV can be contracted through bodily liquids from an infected person (which includes blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal discharge). The most common line of transmission happens to be through unprotected sex, but it can also be passed to children during pregnancy or birth. Additionally, contaminated needles and other unsanitary methods with direct fluid exchange are methods that put an individual at risk.
“People cannot become infected with HIV through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water,” the website’s information hub reads.
If left untreated, it’s prone to develop into its fatal stage: AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Although HIV/AIDS can be nursed with medication (such as antiretroviral drugs), it is still incurable.
Today, researchers continue their years-long fight to find a cure, but the virus remains a global epidemic. Through occasions like National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the public can stay knowledgeable on the simple fact: it can happen to anyone.
How National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Started & Why It’s Important
While it’s long been said that homosexual men are more susceptible to HIV/AIDS contraction, the truth is that (regardless of gender) anyone who engages in (reckless) intercourse with a carrier or is subjected to any of the exposure factors above can catch this disease.
For that reason, bringing observances like National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to the forefront is necessary. Established in 2005, the event, as described by HIVinfo.NIH.gov, “is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of HIV on women and girls.” Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the day, set on March 10 of every year, is utilized to promote available HIV prevention and care services and emphasize data underlining that young, minority women are among the larger number of victims.
The good news is that HIV is not a death sentence, and there have been various scientific advancements toward total healing someday. However, it’s crucial to note that receiving such a heavy diagnosis is a mental, physical, and sexual devastation for those experiencing this life-changing condition.
These are participative measures you can take on National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to ensure that you or anyone else never feels alone:
- Visit your local testing center.
- Involve yourself in an online support group.
- Start a directory with resources + donation portals for infected individuals struggling to meet the costs of their treatment needs.
- Host/attend a seminar with guest panelists sharing their stories.
- Pass out pamphlets packed with information for the uneducated.
- Empower those on and offline with ways to have enjoyable (safe) sex with clean partners.
We hope this will encourage all to get tested, join the fight, and be a voice of help for those battling HIV/AIDS.
Ultimately, we’re all in this together.
How will you commemorate National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day? Let us know in the comments below!
