More feature stories on women and girls

UNAIDS and DPKO shine a light on ending violence against women
27 November 2012|
New initiative launched to address HIV and sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings
UNFPA report focuses on rights-based approach to family planning
14 November 2012|
The 2012 State of World Population report places renewed focus on the need for more policy and programmatic action to ensure that all people can equally access family planning services—which is critical to individuals’ abilities to exercise their reproductive rights.
High-Level Taskforce for women, girls and HIV calls for accelerated efforts to protect the rights and wellbeing of young women and girls in South Africa
31 October 2012|
The High-Level Taskforce for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV for Eastern and Southern Africa concluded a week-long political advocacy mission to South Africa calling for renewed commitment and leadership to protect the health and rights of young women and girls in the country.
The hopes and dreams of young women growing up with HIV
11 October 2012|
A group of nine inspirational young women born with HIV recently came together at UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva to share their experiences and to build a foundation for work in the future. The gathering was part of a broader agenda to promote and protect the human rights, especially the sexual and reproduction health and rights, of all women living with HIV. This is their message to the world which they would like to share on the first ever International Day of the Girl Child.
UN Secretary-General takes stock of the progress made in the implementation of the Every Woman Every Child initiative
26 September 2012|
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon brought together on 25 September in New York, leaders from government, civil society, the private sector and international organizations during a reception to draw attention to the progress made on the Every Woman Every Child initiative.
Empowering women for better results in development
25 September 2012|
First Ladies of several African countries, government officials and representatives from international and civil society organizations working on development and women’s issues gathered in New York on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting to discuss ways to empower women and youth especially through digital technologies.
Angolan women say ‘no’ to discrimination and ‘yes’ to gender equality
16 August 2012|
High-level women decision makers recently came together in the National Assembly of Angola to endorse the “Harare Call to Action” and discuss how the country will address HIV and gender-based violence. They engaged on issues related to domestic and sexual violence and the inclusion of women in decisions concerning their families, economic development, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Empowering marginalized and vulnerable communities in Namibia
13 August 2012|
The Khaibasen Community Project in Namibia has been engaged in raising awareness, providing education and giving voice to vulnerable communities, especially girls who are engaging in transactional sex to make ends meet.
Women everywhere have the right to informed consent
08 August 2012|
Since 2008, cases of forced sterilisation have been reported, among others, in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela and Zambia.
Ways to improve women's health in the HIV context
24 July 2012|
Investing in HIV responses that address the needs and rights of women and girls was the main focus of a High-Level Panel meeting held at the 19th International AIDS Conference titled "Securing Investment in HIV and Gender Equality for Social Change".
Women speak out about HIV in the Middle East and North Africa
13 July 2012|
In “Standing Up, Speaking Out”, a new UNAIDS report launched today in Cairo, Egypt, 140 women living with HIV from 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) express the realities that shape the hopes and grievances of their lives.
Summit on Family Planning stresses on linkages with HIV services
13 July 2012|
Putting the spotlight back on family planning, the UK Government along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation organised a summit in London to support the right of women and girls to decide, freely and for themselves, whether, when and how many children they have.
UNAIDS and UN Women unite against AIDS
05 June 2012|
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is the eleventh United Nations body to join the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) as a cosponsoring partner.
UNAIDS highlights Zimbabwe’s progress in responding to AIDS
28 May 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé concluded his first official visit to Zimbabwe on 25 May after meeting with President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan R. Tsvangirai to highlight the country’s progress in the AIDS response.
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.

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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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