Coinciding with Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty has released a proclamation of this day, which falls during Women’s History Month. As a DC resident and a womanist who cares very much about girls’ reproductive health and maturity, I am thrilled to see our Mayor support this very important day in the lives of women and youth everywhere. The proclamation is below:

 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

March 10, 2008

A Proclamation by the Mayor of the District of Columbia

WHEREAS, March 10 of each year has been designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health as Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, the goal of Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to encourage all of us to educate and empower ourselves, our families and our loved ones about HIV prevention; and

WHEREAS, the D.C. Department of Health reported that women make up one-third of all newly reported HIV cases from 2001-2006; and

WHEREAS, the 2008 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day serves as a reminder to provide support, respect and instill dignity to women and girls living with HIV/AIDS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim, March 10, 2008, as, ‘WOMEN AND GIRLS HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY’ in Washington, DC, and call upon all the residents of this great city to take part in activities and observances designed to increase awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS.

Adrian M. Fenty

Mayor, District of Columbia

 For more information on HIV/AIDS resources click here.