The International Partnership for Microbicides

Prominent women from around the world have committed themselves to champion the development of safe and effective microbicides for women, especially for those in the developing world where a variety of social and cultural factors put them at increased risk of HIV infection.

The Women’s Leadership Network for Microbicides builds on the growing momentum among global leaders who increasingly understand the role microbicides could play as a HIV prevention tool, one that is integral to the improvement of women’s health and their protection against HIV infection. A tool that could also help reduce the burden of infection, disease and death for both women, men and children, and could contribute significantly to eradicating poverty.

The Women’s Leadership Network aims to foster and mobilise political and financial support for microbicide development from governments, the private sector and civil society. The network will also strongly advocate to ensure that effective microbicides, once developed, are widely available and affordable to women in developed and developing countries, and in particularly to the poor.

Current Members of the Women’s Leadership Network for Microbicides are:

	Melinda French Gates Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
	Hilde F. Johnson Former Norwegian Minister of International Development
	Wangari Maathai Winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, Member of Kenya Parliament and Assistant Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for Kenya
	Graça Machel President of the Foundation for Community Development
	Gertrude Mongella President of the Pan-African Parliament
	Joy Phumaphi Assistant Director General of the World Health Organization for Family & Community Health
	Mary Robinson President of the Ethical Globalization Initiative and former President of Ireland
	Zeda F. Rosenberg Chief Executive Officer of the International Partnership for Microbicides
	Mirta Roses Periago Director of the Pan American Health Organization

“Twenty-five years into the pandemic it is clear that we have not managed to control the spread or impact of HIV/AIDS and that women and girls have become the epicentre of this pandemic.

I strongly believe if humankind is to turn this pandemic around we need real investment in girls and women empowerment and in protecting them from HIV/AIDS.

Microbicides have to become a major part of our HIV prevention efforts. Microbicides would offer a tool for women to protect themselves and to make decisions about their own lives. Even a partially effective microbicide could prevent millions of new HIV infections and save the lives of women, men and children.

HIV/AIDS policies and resource expenditure need to reflect the reality of the pandemic’s spread and impact on women and girls. We need increased investment to develop effective microbicides as a crucial part of HIV-prevention programmes and to put HIV-prevention tools in the hands of women.”

Graça Machel