For Immediate Release:	March 11, 2008
For More Information:	Jamila Taylor, CHANGE, jtaylor@genderhealth.org, 301-768-0166 Jacqui Patterson, ActionAid International, jacqui.patterson@actionaid.org, 443-226-3773
Sponsor Organization:	Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and ActionAid International USA
Advocates speak to lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the disproportionate impact of gender-based violence and HIV & AIDS among Women of Color
March 11, 2008 - The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and ActionAid International USA convened women of color from across the globe on Capitol Hill in order to highlight the intersection of gender-based violence and HIV & AIDS among their populations. Representing an array of backgrounds including faith-based, PLWHA, and grassroots advocates from abroad, the women will bring their experiences and insights to Members of Congress. Visits with U.S. Representatives and Senators will take place in hopes that policymakers will witness the fruits of their policy decisions. Women of color continue to bear the brunt of HIV & AIDS on a global scale, and gender-based violence can pose as both a cause and effect of HIV transmission. Dazon Dixon Diallo of Sister Love Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia observed, "We really must strengthen our effort to get ahead of the still growing HIV incidence among women of color, and we won't unless we begin to think, act, and respond at every level to the impact of violence against women, and the vulnerability that its many forms impose on a population who is already at great risk." She concluded, "It is too hard to protect one's self on one front when there are so many wars against you. Women are fighting on a whole lot of fronts every day, and we can't be successful in tackling one or two issues without understanding the intersection between them." "HIV & AIDS can be a complex issue given the socioeconomic implications often experienced by black women", stated A. Toni Young of Community Education Group in Washington, DC. "There is a direct relationship between the lack of women-controlled prevention methods, economic stability and increased rates of HIV-once a woman gains control over these, she is less-likely to undergo gender-based violence and in turn assumes power over her relationships," continued Young. During a roundtable discussion, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, that took place on Capitol Hill yesterday, the women spoke candidly about the delicate nature of addressing issues special to women of color with policymakers. "Policy discussions still lack a focus on the cultural issues that pervade communities of color-both domestically and abroad," said Chandra Crawford of Women of Color United. "Until Congress and Washington advocates make this a part of the dialogue around the issues of violence and HIV &AIDS, the policies will continue to fail at adequately addressing the intersection of the two with the greatest magnitude," continued Crawford. Josephine Ansumana from Sierra Leone representing Voices of African Women in Crisis, reflected on the role of marriage in violence against women. She affirmed that, "Women are defined by their marital status in society. This attitude is directly related to the view that violence is permissible within marriage. Women everywhere should understand that violence against one woman is violence against all women." The Women of Color Advocacy Day is extremely timely given that the U.S. Congress is currently deliberating major policy and funding issues for FY 2009, including the reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and funding for domestic and international health programs. ###