Our Crowns and Cupcakes event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was truly empowering, and an opportunity to convene community to channel our enthusiasm into raising awareness about the nuanced challenges faced by women, particularly Black women, when it comes to HIV. Women constitute 23% of all people living with HIV, and despite this significant presence, their voices are muted in the broader discourse.
Statistics at a Glance:
- In 2021, 18% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were among women.
- Black women continue to bear a disproportionate burden, representing 54% of new HIV infections in U.S. women, despite being 14% of the female population.
- A recent CDC study spotlighted the struggles of Black transgender women, accounting for 62% of HIV infections among transgender women in major U.S. cities.
“Risks to Reasons”
Kayla Early shared Viiv’s transformative initiative, “Risks to Reasons,” during our event. This groundbreaking effort elevates awareness and action around HIV prevention and care for Black women of cis and trans experience, and it the only HIV program shaped and steered by Black women. “Risks to Reasons” reframes the narrative, spotlighting pleasure and intimacy as authentic reasons for self-care and HIV prevention. Our lively and powerful conversation echoed the series’ core message—that every woman has the power to define their own health and wellness.
For those eager to dive deeper there are online workbooks available. These resources offer interactive exercises, games, and prompts, inviting you to explore everything from personal desires to navigating healthcare conversations and embracing PrEP.
Remember—it’s not an instruction, but an invitation to reflect, learn, and, most importantly, have fun. Together, we’re dismantling barriers and fostering a community where every woman’s voice is heard, and every life is valued.
