National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is held annually on March 10. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of HIV on women and girls.

It was first observed in 2005. NWGHAAD highlights ongoing efforts to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care services among women and girls. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Women’s Health leads the U.S. government’s observance of NWGHAAD.

Despite tremendous advances in HIV research over the last 40 years, women—particularly women of color and young women—remain disproportionately affected by HIV. Additional research is critical to understanding the best ways to prevent, treat, and cure HIV across women’s lifespans. It is also essential that HIV research prioritizes diverse populations to ensure all women receive access to HIV services that will work for their needs and preferences.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) launched the HIV and Women Signature Program in 2023 to advance the NIH vision for women’s health, a world in which all women and girls receive evidence-based HIV care, prevention, and treatment tailored to their unique needs, circumstances, and goals. The Signature Program recognizes the importance of community engagement to ensure that NIH HIV research reflects the concerns of community members and that HIV prevention and treatment services are tailored for different communities and populations.

Use the hashtag #NWGHAAD to follow the conversation on social media. Use the Office on Women’s Health NWGHAAD Social Media Toolkit—which includes sample messages, graphics, videos, and other resources—to help increase awareness about HIV and women.

The Gayly online. 3/10/26 @ 11:43 a.m. CST.