Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series on fighting HIV/AIDS among women. The New Agenda is recognizing National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10^th) by profiling breakthrough ideas in stemming the tide of new HIV/AIDS cases among women.

Women are consummate caregivers, frequently subordinating their own needs to the needs of others. So when it comes to taking care of themselves and being healthy, it often just isn’t a priority. Shame and embarrassment also tend to hang heavy on most women, keeping them from speaking out about health issues like HIV/AIDS and providing encouragement to other women to protect themselves.

This week The New Agenda is recognizing National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10^th) by profiling breakthrough ideas in stemming the tide of new HIV/AIDS cases among women in a three-part series.

The Southern AIDS Living Quilt is a first-of-its-kind online community of women protecting other women from HIV/AIDS. LivingQuilt.org’s message to women is – shed the stigma, share your story, and encourage other women to get tested and protect themselves. The growing video stories of the women on livingquilt.org reflect the changing face of AIDS in the United States.

Women are an increasing part of the AIDS epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV infection is the leading cause of death for black women aged 25-34 and the fourth leading cause of death for Hispanic women aged 35-44. It was the 5th leading cause of death for all women aged 35-44. The only diseases causing more deaths of women were cancer and heart disease.

The rate of diagnoses for black women was approximately 23 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Hispanic women. The latest census data shows African American and Hispanic women represent 24 percent of all US women. However, women in these two groups account for more than 75 percent of the estimated total AIDS diagnoses for women in 2006. Overall, HIV infections increased 9 percent from 2006 to 2007.

There is a disturbing increase among the very young. In 2008, more than 60 percent of the new cases of HIV/AIDS or other STDs were among people younger than 25. Teen girls account for an estimated half of HIV cases reported among teenagers between the ages of thirteen and nineteen.

On a podcast Dr. Wanda Jones, director of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office on Women’s Health says women and young girls are increasing vulnerable. “Some women have no idea how they can protect themselves from HIV. And they believe as women they have a lower risk of contracting the virus,” said Jones. “The difference in the social and sexual power between men and women may also inhibit women from asking their partner to use a condom or from negotiating safer sex in other ways.”

Jones urges a bigger push for female-controlled methods of prevention and better information and strategies for negotiating safer sex in relationships where women either don’t have power or don’t have the skills they need to protect themselves.

The stories shared by the women in the video patches are amazing stories about acceptance and self love. Because the web medium allows some anonymity, women feel safe in sharing their stories, but the medium is also obviously very, very public allowing their messages to be heard far and wide. Women who previously hid their status have been given a voice and venue to protect other women.

“The Southern AIDS Living Quilt creates an opportunity to help change the way we view the face of HIV/AIDS. As the faces of the Quilt show, anyone could be at risk. Routine testing and early diagnosis are critical to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in America”, said Patrick Packer Executive Director Southern AIDS Living Quilt.

In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The New Agenda is pleased to announce that Dr. Bambi W. Gaddist, Executive Director of The South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council (SCHAC) and spokesperson for Living Quilt will be a special guest on the Monday, March 9th on Chewing the Fat with Ophelia at 10:00 pm Eastern Time. The Living Quilt’s goals are to:

• Empower women on the front lines of the epidemic to share their personal stories so that others will join them

• Encourage everyone to know their status and the power routine screening can have in reaching the nearly quarter of a million people who have HIV/AIDS and do not know it

• Educate policy makers at all levels of government on the severity of HIV/AIDS among women and the need for action

Please join us with Dr. Bambi W. Gaddist on Chewing the Fat with Ophelia, March 9th at 10pm EST, to discuss this crisis affecting women of color and what we can do to help.