Ideology over Public Health:HIV/AIDS Prevention

Thirty-three million people are living with HIV worldwide, and young women and girls are particularly at risk. In response to this pandemic, President Bush launched the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In 2003, this groundbreaking program allocated $15 billion over five years to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. The funding PEPFAR provides for HIV/AIDS is the largest international initiative ever dedicated to a single disease. As of September 2007, PEPFAR has provided lifesaving treatment to an estimated 1.45 million people. However, this legislation contains a number of damaging provisions that undermine its effectiveness on the ground. More>>

2008: PEPFAR Reauthorization
This year, Congress is acting to revise and reauthorize the PEPFAR program. On April 2, 2008, the House authorized $50 billion dollars to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by a vote of 308 to 116. The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill this spring. More>>

What lawmakers should do to make PEPFAR work for women and girls: 

• Remove arbitrary prevention spending guidelines that stand in the way of providing every individual with the range of services and education they need to protect him or herself against HIV. More>>
  
• Remove language restricting the participation of family planning organizations in providing HIV prevention, counseling and testing services to those compliant with the global gag rule, and support voluntary contraceptive services for HIV positive women. More>>
  
• Enact WHO and USAID Recommendations on PMTCT: The World Health Organization recommends that women seeking treatment to prevent maternal-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV have access to voluntary family planning information and commodities should they choose to prevent another pregnancy. More>>
  
• Eliminate the prostitution pledge that requires groups fighting HIV/AIDS overseas to pledge their opposition to prostitution and sex trafficking before receiving U.S. money. More>>

What you can do>>
Get Engaged in PEPFAR Reauthorization: Let your elected officials know you support these key elements in PEPFAR reform.

Stay Informed.

• Visit Bush's Other War for information about other Bush administration policies that are undermining women's and girls' health worldwide
• Visit Stay Informed, Take Action for information on legislation before the 110th congress that will affect women and girls at home and abroad.
• Visit With Women Worldwide: A Compact to End HIV/AIDS for more information on IWHC's action agenda for addressing global HIV/AIDS.
• Read our factsheet on women and HIV/AIDS.

Donate to IWHC. IWHC's partners worldwide are working to eradicate the gender inequalities that make women so vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. They are providing young people with the information, skills, and strategies they need to reach adulthood in good health. By supporting us, you will strengthen our support for these groups. Click here to make a contribution.

Spread the word. You can email this page to a friend by clicking on the link in the top right corner.

This factsheet last updated in April 2008. For more information, contact Whitney Welshimer at 212-979-8500 or  wwelshimer@iwhc.org.