Women bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic in Africa, where their increased biological & social vulnerability fuels the epidemic. A vaccine would be among the most powerful health & equity tools ever.
Women represent 61% of HIV-infected adults in Africa. Given the complex web of physiological & socioeconomic factors increasing women’s vulnerability to infection, a comprehensive response to AIDS requires a range of prevention approaches. The tools currently available to prevent HIV are insufficient. Better long-term prevention tools, that women can initiate or control, are needed. An AIDS vaccine remains the world’s best hope for ending one of the most devastating epidemics of our time.
Partnering with researchers, policymakers, and community & women’s health groups, IAVI conducts research, educational initiatives, counseling & testing, and capacity building, while addressing issues like gender equity and access to treatment & care.
A safe, effective, accessible AIDS vaccine would provide women a long-term prevention tool that they can initiate. A vaccine would prevent millions of future HIV infections, ultimately saving millions of lives and bringing the epidemic to an end.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
