The face of AIDS is increasingly young and female, and the statistics are startling. Nearly half of people living with HIV worldwide are women, and 76% of youth living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are young women and girls. Intersecting with the growing feminization of the global AIDS epidemic is another epidemic – that of violence against women and girls.

Many World AIDS Day activities focus on women, particularly the connection between violence and HIV and AIDS.

Mabel Bianco is the President of FEIM and the Coordinator of the International AIDS Women's Caucus and is the women's representative on the WAC Global Steering Committee

In 2006 all governments at the UN reaffirmed the promise to STOP AIDS.
Still, the epidemic continues to grow, particularly among young people and women. I urge LAC governments to commit to bringing sexuality education to adolescents and young people and promote condom use and their free distribution. They must also adopt policies to reach equality among women and men and finally, respect sexual and reproductive rights.
Governments promised this last June. What have they done?? We must make them accountable!!

The women in the military took the lead in a march in Limbe, Cameroon on World AIDS Day 2006

The Government of Cameroon, National and International NGOs, Diplomatic missions, UN systems and over 500 rural women all made a mark during the conference. Civil society set ambitious targets and set time frames to realize them. Over 3000 persons joined the conference participants to commemorate the world AIDS day in a two hours march round town in Limbe.

The rights of women to decide freely about their sexual lives and the number and spacing of their children are often violated in name of culture and religion. Growing conservatism across the globe and in Europe threatens these rights even further.

“Women Won't Wait”, a new international coalition of women's groups, launched its campaign to end HIV and violence against women with a new report released: "Show Us the Money: Is Violence Against Women on the HIV&AIDS Donor Agenda?"

Women's Leadership Making a Difference on HIV and AIDS.
The International Women's Summit offers a unique opportunity to listen to some of the world's leading experts on HIV and AIDS and learn from the experiences of women working in the heart of local communities. It's a chance to lead change in addressing the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls.

Vowing that “we can lead the change we wish to see in the world”, participants at the World YWCA’s International Women’s Summit on HIV and AIDS concluded their meeting with a call to action demanding individual and collective responsibility.

In this book you will read about young women from all over the world, who have shaken their communities as peer counselors and educators, as care givers and as people living openly with HIV or AIDS; giving hope to many and promoting a humanistic response to the pandemic.

Relentless Increase in African Maternal Death Could Be Equated To Genocide By Inaction ­Says Africa Public Health Rights Alliance ³15% Now² Campaign.