Hey John,

Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Every year on March 10th, communities around the country work in partnership to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls. This year’s theme is: Prevention and Testing at Every Age, Care and Treatment at Every Stage.

Decades of fierce advocacy and activism have brought us closer to eliminating new HIV infections and ensuring that all people living with HIV have access to treatment.

However, women and girls, especially those that are Black and Latina, face challenges in accessing prevention, treatment, and care. Because of this, Advocates for Youth continues to be committed to creating a space for young people's voices to be heard, especially as it relates to their access to quality healthcare resources.

Advocates for Youth is committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls with programs like CommuniTEA. CommuniTea is a project with ViiVHealthcare to engage black women and girls in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. CommuniTea works with a cohort of 10 young Black women and girls as community leaders in HIV prevention, advocacy efforts, and eliminating HIV stigma to change the narrative around Black women to address the underlying causes of HIV disparities. I have been a youth activist with CommuniTEA for the last two years- it has been my honor to serve my community and shift the narrative around HIV testing, treatment, and access to care. Hear from my fellow activists below.

There are three things you can do today to show your support for NWGHAAD:

1. Share and repost videos posted on Advocates’ Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok accounts.

2. Share the Thriving Together: Black Women, Wellness & HIV Toolkit here.

3. Save HIV Funding By signing this petition https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-your-representatives-in-congress-to-savehivfunding?source=direct_link&

We are closer than ever to ensuring that all young people, especially young women and girls, experience a life free from stigma and have access to affirming HIV prevention, treatment, and care.