HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that is spreading speedily all over the world from a high-risk group to the general population. Women and girls are unknowingly becoming victims of this disease due to their lack of knowledge and negotiation power. Gender inequality, lack of their access to formal education, and economic enslavement on male members hardly allow them to think about their health and reproductive rights. In a patriarchal society here men dominates, girls are treated as a burden to the family. Basic needs of girls like good health, formal education are often ignored. Lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention methods make girls victims of HIV/AIDS. They either get infected due to the immorality of their partners or the negligence of healthcare providers. A drug injected through infected syringes is also one of the reasons whether it is taken by girl or by her partner. If any person, either man or woman gets HIV, situation compel them to live stigmatized and biased life. Formal education plays a very important role in protecting girls from getting infected with HIV/AIDS as it makes them able to remain aware on health issues. Education helps them to think rationally about their health, and they can do an open discussion about sex and sexually transmitted infections with their partners. Education also helps them to become financially independent and enhances their bargaining power to live a graceful healthy life. This paper identifies the importance of awareness about HIV/AIDS for women to protect themselves from getting infected with this dreadful disease.

HIV/AIDS, awareness, women, reproductive rights.