More feature stories on Eastern and Southern Africa

New framework to eliminate transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies: 28 March 2011|; The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa has come a step closer with the endorsement of a new regional framework following a three-day consultation in Nairobi, Kenya.

From isolation to integration: Rwandan project transforms women’s lives: 24 March 2011|; In 2004, two sisters in Rwanda started a “trade-not-aid” initiative that produces high-end handicrafts. From a humble beginning with just 20 artisans in the remote village of Gitarama, Gahaya Links has since expanded its network to more than 5000 weavers nation-wide.

President Kagame fully engaged in UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS: 24 March 2011|; In partnership with UNAIDS, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame will lead a Heads of State event on HIV and broader development issues at the United Nations General Assembly High Level meeting on AIDS in June.

Zimbabwe: an HIV prevention success story: 15 March 2011|; HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe has declined remarkably in recent years, dropping from 26% to 14% between 1997 and 2009. In a recent edition of the journal PLoS Medicine, researchers explored the reasons for this decline and examined what lessons can be learned and replicated.

Women under the Same Sky: 10 March 2011|; Ms Le Frak, a film producer from the USA and now social entrepreneur, started Same Sky while trying to make a film about the genocide in Rwanda. Although the film project never materialized, she felt there were other skill sets she could lend to make a difference in the lives of the women she met in the country.

New book sheds light on women and men’s access to care and experience of care-giving in African countries: 07 March 2011|; A new book publishes research that sheds fresh light on the lives of women living with HIV in African countries and their experience as recipients and givers of care.

Kenya to adopt comprehensive HIV prevention package for people who inject drugs: 23 February 2011|; The Kenyan government is taking an innovative approach to reducing HIV among injecting drug users. In a bold new initiative, the government is set to give drug users free access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

Preventing new HIV infections among children is the focus of a meeting of African First Ladies: 01 February 2011|; Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV was high on the agenda at a General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

‘A better future’: New evidence shows triple antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV: 14 January 2011|; The Lancet Infectious Diseases today published evidence from a World Health Organization-led study. The study showed that giving pregnant women living with HIV a combination of three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from the last trimester, through delivery and six months of breastfeeding can reduce the risk of their babies being infected with HIV by more than 40%.

South Sudan addresses concerns of HIV-affected refugees: 11 January 2011|; Mary Kiden is a refugee in Uganda who is living with HIV and taking antiretroviral medicines. She wants to return home to southern Sudan but worries about whether her medical needs will be met. To help her make up her mind UNHCR recently invited Mary to join a ‘go-and-see’ visit to her former home. She was pleasantly surprised by what she found.

South Africa expanding access to ARV therapy: 17 December 2010|; South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that South Africa has successfully negotiated a range of price reductions for antiretroviral treatment in a bid to increase access to treatment for people living with HIV.

Cricket unites on World Aids Day: Players to wear red ribbons in international matches: 30 November 2010|; International cricket will mark World AIDS Day and show its support for people living with HIV this week. Players will wear red ribbons on their shirts during international matches.

Next steps with 1% tenofovir microbicide gel: 24 November 2010|; After nearly 20 years of research, the results of the CAPRISA 004 trial provided the first evidence that the use of a vaginal microbicide could provide a safe and effective way to prevent HIV infection in women.

Rwanda launches Agenda for Accelerated action for Women and Girls in the Response to HIV: 10 November 2010|; Rwanda’s National Accelerated Plan for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV 2010-2014 was unveiled on 10 November at an event at the Parliament, in the capital Kigali.

Bridging the health gap in South Africa: 09 November 2010|; The South African government’s proposed national insurance scheme aims to tackle the stark divide in health care between rich and poor.

Captains at African Women’s Football Championship ‘Give AIDS the Red Card’ to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV: 04 November 2010|; Captains of all eight national teams competing in the 2010 African Women’s Football Championship in South Africa have joined forces to support the Give AIDS the Red Card campaign to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

African HIV prisons network receives prestigious international award: 02 November 2010|; The African HIV in Prisons Partnership Network has been presented with the prestigious 2010 Healthcare Award by the International Corrections and Prisons Association. Representing a major boost for the network, the award was given during the Association's recent annual conference in Belgium.

UNICEF Executive Director launches innovative approach to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in Kenya: 29 October 2010|; UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake joined the Kenya Government and other partners on Friday in rolling out an innovative approach to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies. The initiative includes a “Mother-Baby-Pack” of antiretroviral drugs and antibiotics, which women can easily administer at home.

African leaders call for accelerated response to AIDS in Zambia: 26 October 2010|; In a recent mission to Zambia the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, an organization of African leaders which includes former presidents and other influential personalities, met with top government officials to help push Zambia’s AIDS response forward. Zambian President Rupiah Banda unveiled a new National AIDS Strategy in the presence of the Champions that aims to increase access to antiretroviral treatment and reduce HIV infections in Zambia by 50% by the year 2015.

Plan launched to halve TB prevalence and death rates by 2015: 13 October 2010|; The Stop TB partnership has launched a Global Plan to Stop TB (2011-2015) aimed at halving tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and death rates by 2015 to reach the Millennium Development Goal of halting and beginning to reverse the epidemic by 2015.

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21 May 2013: UNAIDS reports more than 7 million people now on HIV treatment across Africa––with nearly 1 million added in the last year—while new HIV infections and deaths from AIDS continue to fall . More

21 May 2013: UNAIDS saddened by death of human rights activist Shivananda Khan. More

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