More feature stories on women and girls

Launch of African women’s leadership network aims to advance gender equality and AIDS response
24 May 2012|
Leading African women from national ministries and parliaments, the business community, networks of women living with HIV, and civil society and development organizations are in Zimbabwe’s capital to attend the inaugural meeting of the GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa. This women-led initiative will provide a strategic political platform to accelerate HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights responses for women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa.
Prioritising gender equality in response to AIDS in Liberia
13 April 2012|
Cynthia Quaqua is a mother, wife, the president of the Liberian Women’s Empowerment Network (LIWEN), and, perhaps most importantly, a survivor. Raped by soldiers during the Liberian civil war, she became pregnant as a young woman. Years later she fell ill and was diagnosed with HIV. Suddenly, she found herself abandoned by her relatives even began discussing where to bury her.
Men playing a role in eliminating new HIV infections among children and keeping mothers alive
21 March 2012|
Sitting on a traditional stool at a Dare—a special meeting platform—Chief Chiveso of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe speaks to men about the possibility of having babies born HIV free and keeping their mothers alive. For that to happen, stresses the Chief, there is a need to challenge harmful cultural and religious practices that can affect community responses to HIV.
UNAIDS and UNDP commend New Zealand’s leadership in the HIV response
13 March 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark praised New Zealand as a model for the AIDS response in a joint meeting on 6 March with the country’s Prime Minister, John Key.
HIV increasingly threatens women in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
12 March 2012|
The glamorous world of pop music and the grim realities of the HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia may seem like strange bedfellows. However, Russian singer and AIDS activist, Julia Lasker, engages in both with full commitment.
United States Congressional Staff first-hand view of Zambia’s AIDS response
09 March 2012|
A delegation of nine United States Congressional staff members travelled to Zambia from 18 – 24 February. The aim of the visit was to have a first-hand understanding of the progress made and challenges remaining in scaling up HIV treatment, care and prevention programs in one of the most heavily impacted countries Sub-Saharan Africa.
President of Fiji commits to easing HIV burden for women in the Pacific region
08 March 2012|
Speaking at a meeting on International Women’s Day in Suva, capital city of Fiji, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised President Ratu Epeli Nailitikau for his “remarkable leadership” and personal engagement in the AIDS response at country, regional and global levels.
Women need access to dual protection—effective contraceptives and HIV prevention options
16 February 2012|
A stakeholder consultation convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva has reviewed recent epidemiological studies related to HIV transmission and acquisition by women using hormonal contraceptives. After careful review of all available evidence, the stakeholders found that the data were not sufficiently conclusive to change current guidance.
Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair
31 January 2012|
Speaking at the 11th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.
High-Level Taskforce to tackle gender inequality
08 December 2011|
A new High-Level Taskforce on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV for Eastern and Southern Africa was launched on 7 December at ICASA. The aim of the Taskforce is engage in high-level political advocacy in support of accelerated country actions and monitoring the implementation of the draft Windhoek Declaration for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV.
Women living with HIV championing the response to AIDS in Kenya
31 October 2011|
A National Leadership Conference in Kenya brings together women living with HIV to join forces against AIDS.
MDG-6 Forum addresses challenges faced by women and girls affected by HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
13 October 2011|
Women, girls and HIV were the focus of a panel discussion on the final day of the International Forum on MDG-6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Moderated by UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau, the session included representatives from government, civil society and international development organizations.
Russian government and UNAIDS face off in charity soccer match
10 October 2011|
On the eve of the International Forum on Millennium Development Goal (MDG)-6, the Government of the Russian Federation and UNAIDS co-organized a charity soccer match at the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium in Moscow in support of women and children living with HIV in Russia.
Integrating human rights, gender equality and HIV prevention in national HIV responses
27 September 2011|
UNAIDS brought together nearly 60 participants from 12 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to a 3-day training workshop on expanding human rights, gender and HIV prevention programmes in national responses to HIV.
Meeting the needs of women living with HIV in Washington DC
19 September 2011|
During an official visit to Washington DC, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé made a special stop at the Women’s Collective, a non-profit organization that provides HIV prevention, testing, care and support for women and their families in some of D.C.’s most underserved communities.
Recognizing the needs of female injecting drug users in north-east India
13 September 2011|
The specific needs of women who use drugs are being addressed by UNODC and its partners in a new programme in north-east India. Operating in four states in the region, the project is providing HIV services to a key but underserved population.
The George W. Bush Institute, the U.S. Department of State, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, and UNAIDS announce new women’s health initiative
13 September 2011|
The George W. Bush Institute, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) will today announce Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon®, an innovative partnership to leverage public and private investment in global health to combat cervical and breast cancer — two of the leading causes of cancer death in women - in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon will expand the availability of vital cervical cancer screening and treatment and breast care education—especially for women most at risk of getting cervical cancer in developing nations because they are HIV-positive.
New documentary film to stop violence against women and girls
31 August 2011|
A new documentary film following the lives of four people in Africa aims at challenging patriarchy, end men’s violence against women and promote gender equality.
Achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls through the HIV response
19 July 2011|
On the periphery of the IAS 2011 conference taking place in Rome from 17-20 July 2011, UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, ATHENA, Salamander Trust, WECARe+ and Network Persone Seropositive convened a town hall dialogue to discuss how the HIV response facilitates the achievement of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all women, including women living with HIV, at every stage of their lives.
International Women's Summit explores ways to make the world safer for women
13 July 2011|
The World YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) hosted its fourth International Women's Summit (IWS) in Zurich, Switzerland from 12-13 July 2011. The event brought together more than 1 000 participants from over 100 countries to discuss issues facing women and girls today ranging from gender inequality, young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV to the social and economic dimensions of violence against women.

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17 May 2012

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. More

10 May 2012

UNAIDS calls on Greece to protect sex workers and their clients through comprehensive and voluntary HIV programmes. More

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