National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is March 10. Learn how HIV affects women and girls in the United States and how women can protect themselves.

HIV remains a significant health issue for women and adolescent girls, with more than 280,000 women living with HIV in the United States. In 2014, an estimated 8,328 women aged 13 and older were diagnosed with HIV. The majority of these diagnoses can be attributed to heterosexual sex.

Black/African American* and Hispanic/Latina** women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. Among all US women in 2014,

• Black women accounted for 62% of new HIV diagnoses but only 13% of the female population.
• Hispanic/Latina women accounted for 16% of new diagnoses but only 15% of the female population.
• Whites accounted for 18% of new diagnoses and 64% of the female population.

Nevertheless, we are making progress in the fight against HIV among women. From 2005 to 2014, new HIV diagnoses declined 40% among all women and even more (42%) among black women. And for black women newly diagnosed with HIV, the percentage linked to HIV medical care increased 48% from 2012 to 2014.

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DC Area Events:

• Whitman-Walker Health 
  HIV Testing
  Friday, March 10
  11 am - 2 pm
   
• Cupcakes and Condoms
  This FREE event brings women and girls together for an afternoon of complimentary desserts while engaging in dialogue designed to foster healthy intimate relationships and promote positive choices to aid in the prevention of HIV and STIs. Female condom demonstrations are also offered by Jaali & Co.
  Saturday, March 11
  1 pm - 4 pm