Facing AIDS: The time is now

Trócaire campaign highlights how women are disproportionately affected by HIV and calls on the Irish government to address the issue in its policy for international development.

Globally, we have failed to protect women from becoming infected with HIV, and from the deep impacts HIV has on a woman’s life. In Sub Saharan Africa, 72% of 15-24 year olds living with HIV are women.

Through out their lives, the responsibility for caring for the sick and dying falls disproportionately to women.

Women make up the majority of the members and leaders of HIV support groups, and are growing in their strength as community leaders and political activists. The heroes of the global HIV response are women and girls.

See our infographic illustrating the ups and downs of women’s vunerability to HIV and AIDs.

For World AIDS Day 2013, Trócaire is holding an exhibition which tells the story of brave girls and women in Ireland and Africa living with HIV.

View the Facing AIDS exhibition

The exhibition runs from  26 November 2013 to 11 December 2013, 10am-5pm (Mon-Fri) at the  Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell St, Dublin 1.

Watch the exhibition film

Now is the time to stand alongside these women and demand stronger action by our government before it’s too late.

For more information about current HIV and development issues, read AIDS is Not Over: A Policy Paper of the Dóchas HIV & AIDS Working Group.