Increase Funding for Proven HIV Protection Technology
- von: Care2
- empfänger: President Bush
The female condom is the only woman-initated method that provides protection from HIV infection - in fact, it is the best available invention to help protect women from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. In places like sub-Saharan Africa, where 75% of new HIV-related cases are in young women, such a device could have a dramatic effect on lowering HIV infection rates. But governments and aid agencies have ignored the female condom, leading to 15 wasted years in the global fight against AIDS.
The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S.'s international AIDS initiative, must include funding for female condom manufacture and distribution programs. This simple solution would have a lasting impact in the international fight against more HIV infections. Urge President Bush to set aside funding for female condom programs today!
Dear President Bush,
I am writing to urge you to support development of female condom programs when considering funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Female condoms are the only woman-initiated HIV protection program available today, and serve the dual purpose of decreasing HIV infection rates while also empowering women. The female condom is acceptable to users, increases the proportion of protected sex acts and is cost-effective when provided in addition to male condoms, according to a recent study by Oxfam and the World Population Foundation.
In the past 10 years, about $6 million has been dedicated to developing a new condom for women. But in 2006 alone, more than $1 billion went toward new HIV-prevention technologies. While it's important to continue development of new technologies, it is irresponsible to ignore the female condom - an existing technology that could give us a giant stride forward in the global fight against AIDS.
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Please use PEPFAR to increase funding for the development of female condom programs.
