This takes me back to my early days when I first discovered Makeover Monday by Andy Kriebel. After creating a data visualization on the Bike Boom caused by the pandemic, I felt compelled to work on a project revolving around social issues.
Being part of a community where few friends are undetectable, I believed that this data visualization could serve as an informative piece for Friends of Dorothy, shedding light on the status of HIV and AIDS around the world.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made significant strides in curbing new infections, with a downward trend. However, it's disheartening to acknowledge that gender inequality remains a significant concern in certain parts of the world, particularly the African continent. This inequality is fueled by various factors, such as education and cultural disparities.
The Objective
The goal of this project is to raise awareness among individuals worldwide who are interested in understanding the current landscape of HIV and AIDS.
Details of the Data Visualization
Selection of Charts
Color Palette
To evoke a sense of warning, I've utilized shades of red on the map to indicate countries in Africa that are facing higher risk, and those that aren't.
Regarding gender representation, I've employed pastel shades of blue and pink, traditionally associated with males and females. This softer approach is intended to harmonize the red color palette with these gender-associated colors.
Key Visual Elements
The male and female figures serve as visual representations of infection rates. Incorporated in the top-right corner are the logos of the organizations that provided this data, Mothers2Mothers and UN No. 5 Gender Equality. This inclusion associates the data visualization with their shared objectives. Both organizations were pivotal in this campaign, working towards awareness and change.
Interactivity
A filter button is conveniently placed between the title, a brief contextual paragraph, and the two charts. This interactive feature enables viewers to observe the disparity between genders and how, tragically, the only gap being bridged is that of death rates.
What Comes Next?
I'm a firm believer in actionable insights. After engaging with the data visualization, what steps can be taken? To address this, I've incorporated an excerpt from the main report by the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, outlining critical measures that can be implemented.
These steps aim to reduce new infections in Africa and gradually close the gap between men and women in the context of the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
