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AIDS Action Committee Hosts Massachusetts Debut of 'Giving Women Power Over AIDS' Global Traveling Photo Exhibit

Posted on: Monday, 6 March 2006, 18:00 CST

BOSTON, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Wed., Mar. 8, International Women's Day, heralds in the Massachusetts debut of the traveling photo exhibit "Giving Women Power over AIDS," which was displayed at the United Nations last year and other select U.S. locations since 2004. The exhibit provides a compelling visual narrative of Ruth, a mother dying of AIDS, and her child Martha, one of the 11 million children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060306/NEM044 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041101/NEM062LOGO-a )

Daily, 14,000 adults in the U.S. become newly infected, and half are women. While 38 million people are living with HIV globally, 70 percent are in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Women at risk for and living with HIV face unique challenges including sexuality, self-esteem, pregnancy, parenting and relationship power dynamics," said Rebecca Haag, Executive Director, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC).

AAC is hosting the exhibit as part of its role as convener in the state for the Global Campaign for Microbicides. The exhibition is free and open to the public this Wed. from 2-4 p.m. at AAC, located at 294 Washington Street in Boston.

The exhibit is a gripping visual representation that deepens the understanding of women's vulnerabilities to HIV and the role that new prevention technologies, such as microbicides, could play in reducing women's risk. Named one of the "10 most promising biotechnologies for improving global health," microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women and their partners could apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections. The walk-through exhibit, comprised of 10 panels of expressive images and corresponding artifacts, illustrates lives and a pandemic that might otherwise be forgotten or considered remote.

"It's a civic duty to launch this compelling and moving photo exhibit free to the public during the week that honors International Women's Day and National HIV/AIDS Awareness for Women and Girls," said Rebecca Haag.

"We hope that there will be more conversations regarding the particular barriers that females face in protecting themselves sexually," Haag added.

In Massachusetts, 21,000-24,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS; new infections continue at a rate of 2-3 per day and nearly one-quarter are unaware of their HIV status. The exhibit provides a first-hand look at the reality of HIV/AIDS and new information about prevention science and technology.

AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., New England's first and largest AIDS organization, is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. AAC provides free confidential services to men and women already living with HIV/AIDS, as well as extensive education and prevention outreach to those at

risk of infection. AAC also advocates for effective science-based prevention programs. For more information, visit http://www.aac.org/.

Sample of other viewings (current list at http://www.aac.org/givingwomenpower):

March 10: National Women/Girls HIV Awareness Day -- Speaking Our Truths 1:00-7:00pm: Women of Color Roundtable, William Reed Auditorium, Dorchester April 7 & 8: Annual Reproductive Rights Conference Hampshire College. Click here for more information: http://clpp.hampshire.edu/projects/arrc/ April 11: Massachusetts State House 1:00-3:00pm: Sponsored by the agencies of Prevention First

Editor's Note #1: PLEASE RSVP to Diego or Paul if you have any special A/V needs.

Editor's Note #2: MEDIA INVITED: AAC is also hosting a private showing of the exhibit in the evening of Mar. 8 for special guests, including providers. Other showings in March and April are listed at http://www.aac.org/.

Editor's Note #3: AIDS Action can connect you with local and national experts on microbicides and HIV/AIDS, including providers who serve people living with HIV/AIDS and those who focus on HIV prevention.

Contact: Diego Sanchez, APR dsanchez@aac.org 617.450.1524 or 617.835.1455 Paul Twitchell, ptwitchell@aac.org 617.450.1215

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041101/NEM062LOGO-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060306/NEM044AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN6PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc.

CONTACT: Diego Sanchez, APR, +1-617-450-1524, +1-617-835-1455 (mobile),dsanchez@aac.org, or Paul Twitchell, +1-617-450-1215, ptwitchell@aac.org

Web site: http://www.aac.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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