More feature stories on women and girls

Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls essential in getting to zero
26 July 2013|
The particular impact that HIV has on women and girls was discussed during a panel discussion organised in conjunction with the 55th Session of Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Broad ranging discussion took place during the event on how gender inequality, poverty, harmful cultural practices, and unequal power relations exacerbates their vulnerability to HIV infection.
UNAIDS welcomes the appointment of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the new Executive Director of UN Women
11 July 2013|
Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa. She also played a central role in the government’s HIV programme, serving as chair of the South African National AIDS Council where she took the lead in ensuring broader and more cohesive collaboration with international and civil society partners.
UNAIDS pledges support to networks of women living with HIV to advance cervical cancer programmes
03 July 2013|
As part of its on-going commitment to the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) initiative, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé pledged to support PRRR’s catalytic work, including through a commitment of US$100,000 over three years to help promote the engagement of women living with HIV in the design and implementation of programmes in PRRR countries.
Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa
28 June 2013|
On 27 July, under the leadership of the Nigerian president Jonathan Goodluck, several head of states and experts advocated in Abuja, Nigeria, to end gender based violence and inequality during the 2nd high level meeting of the Global Power Women Network Africa.
Women and HIV: Make positive women and young women’s voices count
31 May 2013|
Through a number of sessions featuring diverse and distinguished panellists from around the world, discussions at the Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, highlighted how achieving health and development goals will only be possible through increased focus on upholding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV and young women.
Wahidayah shelter shines light on the strength of women living with HIV in Malaysia
28 May 2013|
In a quiet street, 40 minutes outside the bustling city centre of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a house with multi-coloured walls, filled with smiles and laughter. The laughter is coming from the Wahidayah shelter, a refuge for women living with HIV.
Women’s issues must remain central to sustainable development
29 April 2013|
In 1994 at the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in Cairo, 179 countries adopted a landmark 20-year Programme of Action, placing gender equality and women’s empowerment and reproductive rights at the center of population and sustainable development.
Climbing against gender-based violence: A quest for dignity, equality and justice
25 April 2013|
Mountain climbing for most is a sign of strength, courage, achievement and perhaps a sense of freedom. For the 25 men and women who summited Mountain Brandberg in Namibia from 18-21 April, their drive was solidarity against gender-based violence (GBV).
First global forum of francophone women promotes women’s rights
20 March 2013|
More than 400 women dedicated to guarantee the respect of the fundamental rights of women, their access to school and education, gender equality or the representation of women in politics gathered in Paris on 20 March for the first global forum of francophone women.
Special event at the Commission on the Status of Women seeks to accelerate zero-tolerance towards gender-based violence through the AIDS response
12 March 2013|
How much progress has the global AIDS response made in ensuring that women and girls live their lives free from violence? What are the next steps needed to strengthen the challenge to gender-based violence and its links to HIV? These critical questions dominated a high level consultation which took place in New York on 9 March during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Sierra Leone’s President says gender is a development issue on International Women’s Day
08 March 2013|
Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma stressed his commitment to increasing women’s participation in his government during an event on 8 March, celebrating International Women’s Day in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He said that the many appointments of women to high positions his government has sent “a clear message that discrimination against women no longer has a place in Sierra Leone.”
UNAIDS Director for Eastern and Southern Africa appointed Ambassador for Girl Child Education Fund
08 March 2013|
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF) have appointed UNAIDS Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Dr Sheila Tlou as Ambassador for the ICN/FNIF Girl Child Education Fund.
Statements on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2013
08 March 2013|
Under this year’s theme of “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”, the United Nations Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and UNAIDS Cosponsors and partners speak out in special International Women’s Day statements.
Ending violence against women is critical to ending AIDS
08 March 2013|
On this day when we honour women, let me speak directly to the men. As husbands and partners, brothers and sons, we must be part of the solution to build a world where women and men are equal.
Carnival queens call on Panamanian young women to take the lead and protect themselves from HIV
18 February 2013|
Last week was Carnival in Panama. As part of the celebrations during 11-12 February, the Queens of “Calle Arriba” and “Calle Abajo” —representing opposite neighbourhoods— competed against each other in a variety of contests. However when it comes to HIV, the two rivals joined forces to prevent new HIV infections among women.
President of South Africa says Africa must deal effectively with HIV to reduce maternal mortality on the side-lines of the African Union Summit
28 January 2013|
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma called on African leaders to effectively deal with HIV and as such eliminate one of the main causes of maternal deaths on the continent.
UNESCO booklet promotes improved links between gender, HIV and education
21 January 2013|
A “Gender Equality, HIV and Education” booklet by UNESCO stresses that issues of gender equality, HIV and education are interrelated and cannot be tackled in isolation.
Women out loud: How women living with HIV will help the world end AIDS
11 December 2012|
In a new report, entitled Women out loud, UNAIDS explores the impact of HIV on women and the instrumental role women living with the virus are playing to end AIDS. It includes the latest data and commentary from some of the leading advocates on women and HIV.
Red Ribbon Award recognizes the work of Sri Lankan Women Living with HIV
06 December 2012|
Princy Mangalika knows what it’s like to be ostracized. Twelve years ago when she became infected with HIV, her house was torched, she was chased out of her village and her children were banned from attending school in Sri Lanka
UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan supporting pregnant women living with HIV on World AIDS Day
03 December 2012|
On World AIDS Day, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan visited local hospital facilities in her hometown of Mumbai, India to learn more about the services provided to HIV positive pregnant women.

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31 July 2013

UNAIDS urges Greek authorities to repeal Sanitary Decree. More

17 July 2013

UNAIDS condemns killing of AIDS activist Eric Lembembe. More

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