Congresswoman Lee Honors National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Pro Choice Caucus, released the following statement in celebration of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
“Today, we honor the women who tragically lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, recognize the progress made, and recommit to ongoing bipartisan efforts to address the virus’ gender disparities to end the epidemic by 2030. Since joining Congress, I have worked tirelessly to eradicate HIV/AIDS and expand access to preventative education and lifesaving medical care. That is why I have introduced House Resolution 974, supporting the goals and ideals of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
While HIV/AIDS affects people of all backgrounds, young women are impacted by new HIV infections due to inequitable gender norms, transactional sex, sexual violence, STIs, and early pregnancy. Women and girls face serious prevention challenges and require adequate access to evidence-and rights-based, age-appropriate compressive sexuality and HIV prevention education and prevention tools.
The National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, occurring annually on March 10th, is a nationwide observance that raises awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and education among women and girls. It is a day to commemorate the impact of HIV/AIDS on their health and social needs, and the work that remains in overcoming gender barriers to treatment.
In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 38 million people around the world are living with HIV. According to the CDC, there were 36,801 new HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas in 2019 and 19% were among women in the U.S. Globally, women now make up almost half of the 37.2 million adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV worldwide. Additionally, the intersection between health and identity is undeniable – just as COVID-19 exacerbated existing health disparities, HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts women, communities of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. After more than 40 years of combating this illness, we know that we cannot end this epidemic without addressing the injustices that prevent underserved communities – especially women and women of color – from receiving the medical care, including sexual and reproductive care, they have a right to.
Let’s commemorate this National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by acting on our political and moral courage to bring equitable care and services to women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color. We will only end the HIV epidemic if we address the deep disparities in access to sexual and reproductive care, life-saving HIV services, and education.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.