Co-director of PWN, Marnina Miller, started off the conversation with the history of NWGHAAD, saying, “National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and promoting the importance of access to treatment and care but also prevention and testing. This day was chosen to honor the memory of a group called ‘The Girlfriends’ who supported one another and loved on one another during the early days of the HIV epidemic in the U.S. This day provides an opportunity for us to highlight the unique challenges that women and girls living with HIV face such as gender-based violence, stigma, and limited access to health care, just to name a few. We must empower women and girls to take control of their health, to make informed decisions, and advocate for policies and resources that address the specific needs of women and girls that are living with HIV.”
We asked Porchia Dees about the importance of centering the voices of Black women in the HIV response. She said, “Women and girls, especially BIPOC, are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS, and we’re often left out of the conversation. So I think it’s super important, especially in the current political climate where our reproductive rights and the right to gender affirming care are being attacked, to create spaces for women and girls of both cis and trans experience where our voices can be lifted up and heard. NWGHAAD is also important to create opportunities for culturally competent care.”
Tammie Ross shared the devastating experience of HIV stigma she has faced within her own family; the subject of stigma came up over and over as an issue that all women living with HIV can relate to. In another conversation, Toi Hughes said, “Living in the South is a completely different experience for women and girls living with HIV. Stigma is the biggest issue facing our communities, with a lack of education being widespread. The best way everyone can support WLHIV is to create safe spaces where we can be free. PWN is the reason I’m no longer ashamed of my status.”
PWN member Kenya Moussa of Pennsylvania also shared with us, “As a woman living with HIV, stigma comes from everywhere; people think there’s something wrong with you. I want every woman and girl to know that living with HIV is not the end of your journey. We call on our community to continue educating people about HIV and the issues we fight every day.”
Positive Women’s Network - USA is proud to be an organization led by and for women living with HIV, dedicated to advocating for our rights and creating spaces and opportunities for all women and girls living with HIV today and every day.
When women living with HIV are free, we will all be free!
