30 for 30 Campaign Statement on the Appointment of Key Women Leaders to PACHA: Gina M. Brown, MSW and Vignetta Charles, PhD

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Washington, DC (September 4, 2014) – The 30 for 30 Campaign congratulates President Obama on the new appointments to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).  In particular, we highlight the appointments of Gina M. Brown, MSW, Board Member of Positive Women’s Network-USA (PWN-USA) and Vignetta Charles, PhD, Senior Vice President with AIDS United. The organizations with which the new PACHA appointees are affiliated, PWN-USA and AIDS United, are both 30 for 30 Campaign member organizations and part of the 30 for 30 Campaign Steering Committee.

According to the CDC, women account for one in four people living with HIV in the United States (CDC 2014). In particular, Black and Latina women, “continue be to disproportionately affected at all stages of HIV infection” (CDC 2014).   Moreover, the CDC reports that only 28% of women diagnosed HIV positive are virally suppressed (undetectable).

In 2013, President Obama issued an Executive Order calling for accelerated efforts to address disparities and gaps along the HIV Care Continuum. These efforts call for bold, innovative initiatives that stretch beyond the current boundaries of HIV service delivery. These two appointees bring fresh perspectives grounded in the lived experiences of women, especially as these experiences relate to trauma and violence against women.  As noted by C. Virginia Fields,  30 for 30 Campaign, Steering Committee Chair, “The appointment of Dr. Charles and Ms. Brown brings forth a renewed opportunity for our nation to substantially address the social and structural issues which prevent women from moving successfully through the HIV Care Continuum.”

It is critical that our nation’s response continue to integrate the needs of women into prevention, support, and treatment efforts.   30 for 30 Campaign hopes the appointment of these two thoughtful and dedicated leaders will energize and move us to rededicate ourselves to reducing the devastating burden this disease has on women and their families, an essential piece of the effort to end HIV in America.

30 for 30 Campaign is a coordinating body of HIV and reproductive health organizations from every region of the country working to ensure that the unique needs of women living with and affected by HIV, including transgender women, are addressed in all relevant HIV funding, programs, and policies. For more information on the 30 for 30 Campaign, visit www.facebook.com/30for30 or email [email protected].