National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is an annual health observance focused on increasing recognition of the impact of HIV and AIDS on U.S. women and girls. On and around March 10th, supporters aim to educate women and girls—and the people who care about this diverse population—about HIV prevention and care. NWGHAAD is an opportunity for organizations and advocates to speak out about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status through testing. Local observance events are organized to inform the public about progress and issues in HIV prevention, care, and research.

Where to Find Ready-to-Use Resources

Each year, HIV.gov looks to the leadership of the HHS Office on Women’s Health (OWH) for communication resources, including their annual social media kit. We also curate federal communication resources on the HIV.gov NWGHAAD page and share our messages and images on social media in an effort to amplify the core messages of this observance.

Visit the OWH site for resources for women and girls affected by, or at risk for, HIV. Plan to revisit the NWGHAAD page, as it is updated with new resources and this year’s theme.

Find Social Media Resources

HIV.gov encourages our readers to join the conversation on social media platforms by using the hashtag #NWGHAAD. @HIVgovExit Disclaimer will share NWGHAAD images, the theme, and other resources as available. The following handles also communicate about women and HIV:

@womenshealthExit Disclaimer
@DrDeanCDCExit Disclaimer
@DrMerminCDCExit Disclaimer
@CDC_HIVAIDSExit Disclaimer
@HRSAgovExit Disclaimer

Get the Facts

HIV.gov provides basic facts about how HIV uniquely affects women. You can complement these facts by sharing the HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator. By adding the Locator with our widget, you will enable your site visitors to find HIV testing services (and services for mental health, substance use, housing, etc.).

CDC offers a succinct fact sheet with statistics on HIV among women [PDF, 401KB](with data through 2016). HIV.gov has the fast facts on HIV in the U.S.

If you would like to learn more about the global response to HIV and AIDS among women and girls, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has information on its work to empower, support, and protect adolescent girls and young women. A 2018 report shares facts on recent progress through the DREAMS Initiative [PDF, 2.4MB].

Videos to Share

Video stories can bring home key messages for NWHGAAD. Check out CDC’s Act Against AIDS campaign materials, which feature several brief videos. And the HHS Office of Minority Health offers a series of videos, including this interview with Margot Kirkland, an HIV prevention advocate/peer counselor for women living with HIV, in which she talks about living with HIV and finding her “voice” as an HIV activist.

Create Your Own Video

The following resources can help you produce your own video. Our Awareness Day Promotion: Should You Be Using Videos? blog includes nine specific and adaptable ideas. This HIV.gov blog on going live for HIV Awareness Days includes more planning and production tips. Another HIV.gov blog includes five tips on using Facebook Live for Awareness Days.

Create Your Own Social Media

Help is available for our readers who want to generate their own social media content. Watch this video on planning social media for Awareness Days. You may also want to book an appointment for free personalized training with our team of social media experts.

However you recognize NWGHAAD, HIV.gov will continue to update you on resources you can use in your communications. Stay tuned for more about NWGHAAD 2019.