On Women’s Day, U.S. Honors Female Students for Work to Fight HIV/AIDS

Thursday March 5, 2009 Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – In a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa today, the U.S. Government presented awards to female students who have excelled at fighting HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.  The event, hosted by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), marked International Women’s Day and celebrated the U.S.-Ethiopian partnership to combat HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.

The U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Deborah Malac, presented awards to girls who have worked courageously to fight HIV/AIDS through involvement in their schools’ "mini-media.”   The top three winners were selected from more than 60 nominees from 20 public high schools around Addis Ababa.

Ms. Malac noted that HIV/AIDS presents particularly difficult challenges for women and families, and explained, “PEPFAR supports efforts to provide women with economic opportunities to empower them to avoid high-risk behaviors; seek and receive health care services, and care for their families.” She told the students, “We admire the courage you have shown in you schools to avert the impact of HIV.”  Aberra Mekonnen, Chief of USAID’s Basic Education Services, added, “We rely on leaders like you who have the courage to speak out about HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and gender based violence.  Today I would like to congratulate you all and ask you to continue to raise awareness of safe sex, and that violence against women and girls is unacceptable, that it harms development, and damages lives and opportunities.”

International Women's Day -- a day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future – is celebrated every year on March 8.   Today’s celebration of young women’s contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS is part of the U.S. Government’s ongoing partnership with Ethiopia to promote a healthier, more prosperous tomorrow for all citizens.