On International Women’s Day, AHF will honor the millions of women living with HIV worldwide and recognize their struggles through a series of events around the globe.
LOS ANGELES (March 4, 2016) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization operating in 35 countries worldwide, will commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th through a series of empowering events and activities in 12 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Americas.
While the official theme for International Women’s Day 2016 is “Pledge for Parity,” AHF will encourage teams in each participating country to adopt their own tagline tailored to their particular message. Nigeria’s tagline is “For Women by Women,” designating a day on which HIV-positive women participate in a series of lighthearted activities that champion positive living and remind them they are not alone. AHF’s other worldwide events include leadership activities for young women, financial independence workshops, and motivational talks from prominent female figures. Some events will cultivate female empowerment through creativity: Zambia will hold a “Diva’s Nite” concert featuring all-female artists and South Africa a hip-hop competition encouraging young people to discuss gender inequality. HIV/AIDS outreach, testing and counseling will accompany most of the events.
“Not only can HIV/AIDS compromise women’s health and well being, but a HIV-positive status can also be associated with violence, poverty and violations of women’s sexual and reproductive rights,” said Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy at AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “International Women’s Day provides an excellent opportunity to empower women and provide them with the tools necessary to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”
Through its worldwide events on March 8th, AHF aims to honor and support the estimated 16 million women currently living with HIV. Women compose more than half of the population living with HIV worldwide, and 58% of HIV-positive individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. For women in their reproductive years (ages 15–49), HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death. AHF is committed to improving the lives of HIV-positive women through cutting-edge treatment and services.
AHF’s Women of Action (WOA) will also be collaborating with the LA County HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force and other community organizations to celebrate National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10. The festival will provide food, free clothes, art-making, a free Zumba class, music and dance performances as well as free HIV testing.
AHF’s National Women and Girls Festival HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Festival will take place on March 10th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. For more information, visit: http://hivdatf.org/2016trainings/women-and-girls-hivaids-awareness-day-2016/ .