Positiv Leben Blog

First time results from a South African study show that a gel containing an antiretroviral drug – when used as a vaginal microbicide – was found to be 39% effective in reducing a woman's risk of becoming infected with HIV during sex.

VIENNA, 19 July 2010 – The results announced today at the XVIII International AIDS conference in Vienna showed a significant reduction in risk of HIV infection in women who used a new generation of microbicide gels, one that contains the antiretroviral drug tenofovir. It also showed a significant reduction in genital herpes, a common viral sexually transmitted infection, which itself increases the risk of acquiring HIV infection.

This landmark proof of concept study was completed by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The gel was found to be both safe and acceptable when used once in the 12 hours before sex and once in the 12 hours after sex by women aged 18 to 40 years. Use of the gel reduced HIV infection by 39% and herpes simplex virus-2 infection by 51%.

"We are giving hope to women. For the first time we have seen results for a woman initiated and controlled HIV prevention option," said Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS. "If confirmed, a microbicide will be a powerful option for the prevention revolution and help us break the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic."

Nearly 20 years of research have gone into microbicides that can be controlled by a woman, independent of her partner. This microbicide study could open new possibilities for HIV prevention. 

"We welcome the findings of the CAPRISA study. All new advances in HIV prevention, particularly for women are exciting. We look forward in seeing these results confirmed. Once they have been shown to be safe and effective, WHO will work with countries and partners to accelerate access to these products", said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO.

WHO and UNAIDS congratulate CAPRISA, a designated UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for HIV Prevention Research, on the successful completion of the study. 

About half of the people living with HIV in the world are women. In sub-Saharan Africa more women are infected than men. HIV is a major cause of maternal mortality.

Given high levels of ongoing HIV transmission to young women in high prevalence settings, it is urgent now to confirm these results so that a safe and effective tenofovir gel can rapidly be made available to women who want it.

In addition to rapidly moving to additional trials to confirm results, key issues that need to be addressed include: determining requirements for the approval by national drug regulatory authorities of this new indication for tenofovir; operations research on how to deliver and sustain product supplies within combination prevention programmes; determining the frequency of HIV testing; and accelerated studies to expand knowledge on the safety of the product particularly in young women (below 18 years of age) and pregnant women.

To stimulate and prioritize rapid action, WHO and UNAIDS will convene an expert consultation in August with women’s health and HIV prevention advocates, scientists, microbicide research teams and product developers, and public health experts to discuss the next steps with the product. Given the important contribution and leadership role of the women who participated in the study, South African scientists, advocates and policy makers in implementing the study of tenofovir gel, the consultation will be held in South Africa.

Press Release from UNAIDS – 19 July 2010

Geneva, 5 July, 2010 - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) weIcomes the merging of four gender entities of the United Nations into UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The new entity will provide a new powerful voice for women and girls and help move the AIDS response forward.

"I look forward to working with UN Women," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, "Together we can ensure that all women living with HIV access treatment when they need it. And most importantly, we can restore their dignity and rights."

Nearly half the people living with HIV in the world are women. In sub-Saharan Africa more women are infected than men. HIV is a major cause of maternal mortality. It is behind nearly 1 in 5 of all maternal deaths.

Gender inequities, violence, lack of access to education, health and economic opportunities are making women vulnerable to HIV.

But by teaming up and working on common goals the AIDS movement and the women’s movement can dramatically reduce the impact of HIV on women and their families.

UNAIDS recently recognized the importance of promoting gender equality and eliminating violence and discrimination against women, by appointing the renowned singer Annie Lennox as International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. Her particular mission is to raise awareness and support for women affected by the AIDS epidemic.

Press Statement from UNAIDS – 5 July, 2010

Geneva, 2 June 2010 - The world renowned Scottish singer songwriter and women's activist Annie Lennox has been named as International Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). With an award winning career spanning several decades, Ms. Lennox is one of the world’s most outstanding musical voices. Now, she renews her commitment to speak out for women and girls affected by the HIV epidemic.

"The daily brutality faced by millions of women and girls is unacceptable," said Ms Lennox. "If we are to end the cycle of human devastation triggered by the AIDS epidemic, we must address the rights of women and girls and challenge their second class citizen status, which puts them at greater risk of HIV." Ms Lennox is a dedicated activist and campaigner working for social justice with numerous organisations. In October 2007, she launched her own "SING" campaign, working to raise awareness and support for women and children affected by the AIDS pandemic in Southern Africa.

She has previously supported UNAIDS, participating in the launch of a five-year action plan aimed at ending gender inequalities and human rights violations.

"How can anyone not be moved by Annie Lennox and her voice? I am sure with her incredible passion and presence, she will raise awareness of the terrible toll HIV has taken on women and girls," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, "With her amazing energy, she will make sure international, national and community leaders challenge the injustice of gender inequality."

The lack of access to quality sexual and reproductive health services contributes to the high number of deaths among women of the reproductive age.

In her new role as International UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Lennox will be in Washington D.C. with Mr Sidibé, from the 7-9 of June to participate in the Women Deliver 2010 conference and 2010 Global Business Coalition conference. She will use these events to advocate for a global movement to focus on the HIV-specific needs of women and girls as well as to empower women and girls so that they can better protect themselves from HIV.

Press Release from UNAIDS – 02. June 2010

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03. März 2010 – UNAIDS takes action to empower women and girls to protect themselves from HIV

UNAIDS pledges continued support for the virtual elimination of mother to-child transmission.

UNAIDS welcomes a new report published in the medical journal The Lancet that found, for the first time in decades, a significant drop in the number of women dying each year from pregnancy and childbirth. Researchers estimate that maternal deaths fell from 526 300 in 1980 to 343 900 in 2008. The news comes while global ealth leaders gather in New York at the Launch Meeting of the Secretary-Generals Joint ffort on Womens and Childrens Health.

UNAIDS supports the call by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a maternal and child ealth movement. Leaders from UN health agencies, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates oundation, the GAVI Alliance and The Global Fund, committed this week to finding new ways to leverage better global health outcomes for mothers and children.

"This report should give hope to maternal health advocates and the millions of women who give birth each year," said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The study, carried out by the University of Washington, USA, and the University of Queensland, Australia, was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It shows that progress in reducing maternal mortality has been slowed by the ongoing HIV epidemic. Nearly one out of every five maternal deaths - a total of 61,400 in 2008 – can be linked to HIV, and many countries with large populations affected by HIV have had the most difficulty reducing their maternal mortality ratio. In South Africa, more than 50% of all maternal deaths are linked to HIV.

"This study serves as a powerful reminder that progress in maternal health efforts is hugely dependent on progress in the AIDS response in countries with the most severe HIV epidemics," said Mr Sidibé.

HIV is the leading cause of death worldwide among women of reproductive age. An estimated 60% of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa are in women and HIV prevalence among young women aged 15 – 24 years is, on average, about three times higher than among men of the same age.

Evidence shows that timely administration of antiretroviral drugs to HIV-positive pregnant women significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to their babies; it is a proven, inexpensive, and effective intervention. However, at the end of 2008, only 45% of HIVpositive pregnant women received the necessary treatment in low- and middle-income countries. Progress in this area can only be achieved by improving the quality of data and by integrating programmes which prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children into the broader reproductive health agenda.

UNAIDS is calling for the virtual elimination of HIV transmission from mother-to-child as a bold but concrete goal that can be achieved by the year 2015. Preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission is a key priority area for UNAIDS, as is strengthening HIV services for women and girls.

UNAIDS recently launched a five-year action plan at a high-level panel during the 54th meeting on the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. The plan calls on the UN system to support governments, civil society and development partners in reinforcing country actions to put women and girls at the centre of the AIDS response, ensuring that their rights are protected.

Press Release from UNAIDS – 14 April 2010

UN to support civil society and governments to address gender inequalities and human rights violations that continue to put women and girls at risk of HIV infection

New York/Geneva, 2 March 2010 - UNAIDS, together with celebrated artist and activist for women and HIV, Annie Lennox, has launched an Agenda for Accelerated Country Action for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV (2010 – 2014), which has been developed to address gender inequalities and human rights violations that continue to put women and girls at risk of HIV infection.

The five-year action plan was launched at a high-level panel during the 54th meeting on the Commission on the Status of Women, being held in New York until 12 March. It calls on the UN system to support governments, civil society and development partners in reinforcing country actions to put women and girls at the centre of the AIDS response, ensuring that their rights are protected.

"Violence against women is unacceptable and must not be tolerated," said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. "By robbing them of their dignity, we are losing the opportunity to tap half the potential of mankind to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Women And girls are not victims, they are the driving force that brings about social transformation."

UNAIDS and partners will support the country roll-out of the Agenda for Action in pathfinder countries, including Liberia.

Annie Lennox underlined her unshakable commitment to the cause of women and girls affected by HIV.

"I believe we need a broad movement for change," she said. "The bottom-line for me is that, in essence, we are all the same. All human beings, wherever we are, have the basic right to be happy and healthy. I see this Agenda for Action as a great opportunity to bring the realities faced by many women and girls to the forefront and to call attention to the injustices faced by many women and girls, placing them at a bigger risk of HIV."

• HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years) worldwide.
• In Southern Africa, HIV prevalence among young women aged 15 – 24 years is on average about three times higher than among men of the same age.
• Up to 70 percent of women worldwide encounter violence. Experiencing violence hampers women's ability to negotiate safe sex.

As of December 2008, 33.4 million people were living with HIV worldwide, of which 15.7 million - almost half - were women. The proportion of women infected with HIV has risen in many regions over of the world over the past 10 years. In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of people living with HIV are women. Nearly 30 years into the HIV epidemic, HIV services do not sufficiently address the specific realities and needs of women and girls.

"The information on sexual and reproductive health for HIV-positive women and girls is still limited," said Suksma Ratri, a member of Indonesia's Positive Women's Network, who participated in today's launch. "Being sexually active and HIV-positive at the same time is very difficult. Women and girls living with HIV often have restricted options when it comes to their sexuality. They need an adequate and friendly support system that enables them to make free decisions about their sexuality without being discriminated and stigmatised. I think the Agenda for Action will be a good platform for countries to strengthen services for women and girls."

The Agenda for Action provides clear action points on how the UN can work together with governments, civil society and development partners to:

• produce better information on the specific needs of women and girls in the context of HIV;
• turn political commitments into increased resources and actions so HIV programmes can better respond to the needs of women and girls; and
• support leaders to build safer environments in which women’s and girl's human rights are protected.

The actions include:

• Improving data collection and analysis to better understand how the epidemic affects women and girls.
• Reinforcing the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign through the AIDS response.
• Ensuring that violence against women is integrated into HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programmes.
• Analyzing the impact of socio-cultural and economic factors that prevent women and girls from protecting themselves against HIV.
• Supporting women’s groups and networks of women living with HIV to map commitments made by governments on women and HIV.
• Scaling up engagement of men’s and boys’ organizations to support the rights of women and girls.

The launch of the Agenda for Action involved many prominent leaders from the United Nations system, governments and civil society. Speakers included Asha Rose Migiro, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General; Melanne Verveer, US Ambassador at Large for Women's Global Issues; Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator; and Vabah Gayflor, Liberia's Minister of Gender and Development.

UNADIS Press Release from 2 March 2010