National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is on March 10th. The goal of this annual observance day is to encourage people across the country to take action to address HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. This year’s theme is “Share Knowledge. Take Action.” Sharing stories, photos, and resources using new media are among the ways you can take action on this important day.

Why is this day important?

As the HIV epidemic in the United States has changed over the last 30 years, women represent a larger share of new HIV infections. In 2011, women and adolescent girls (aged 13 and older) accounted for 21% of the estimated new diagnoses of HIV. While African American women continue to be disproportionately impacted, in December 2012 the CDC reported that new HIV infections among African American women were declining for the first time in over a decade.

Why use new and social media to reach women and girls?

According to Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, the typical users of social media are urban women under thirty years of age, the largest difference in gender of any site featured in the Pew report. When it comes to blogging, there are 3,236 health blogs in the BlogHer NetworkExit Disclaimer, the largest community of women who blog.

How is the HIV community using new media to reach women and girls?

Red Pump Project: For the fifth year in a row, the “Rock the Red Pump” campaign is encouraging bloggers to add the “Rock the Red Pump” widget on their blogs and to dedicate a blog post on March 10th to the topic of HIV among women and girls. The Red Pump Project also has a photo-sharing campaign where women can upload pictures on new media sites of themselves wearing their favorite pair of red shoes. People who upload photos are encouraged to use the hashtag #RocktheRedPumpExit Disclaimer.A Girl Like Me: The Well Project created the “A Girl Like MeExit Disclaimer” blog where women and girls share stories of how HIV impacts their lives. It is an online space where women from around the world can share stories that inspire and provide comfort to women who may feel they are alone living with HIV. Many of the contributors also include photos and videos with their stories.

How can you get involved with NWGHAAD?

• Attend an event in your community. Use the NWGHAAD calendar of events to find an event near you.
• Follow the HIV.gov NWGHAAD boardExit Disclaimer on Pinterest (just released today!)
• Find HIV testing and other services for yourself and/or those you care about.
• Watch and share this video that features women all over the country sharing how they are Facing AIDS.

• You can also view CDC’s video on HIV Among African American WomenExit Disclaimer.
• Embed NWGHAAD web banners and graphics to your social media sites.
• Add this cover photo to your social media profile picture.

Have ideas for bringing visibility to National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day? We want to hear from you! Please use the comments to share opportunities.