Action Alert: Empowering Women & Girls Against HIV/AIDS

The International Women’s Health Coalition is encouraging health activists to tell Michel Sidibé, the soon-to-be executive director of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), what needs to be done to empower women and girls against HIV/AIDS.

The IWHC action alert includes the sample letter below, or you can write your own letter. Send correspondence to communications@unaids.org.

Dear Mr. Sidibé,

As HIV infection rates among young people and women rise, we look to UNAIDS leadership to recognize gender inequality as a driver of the epidemic. That means making sexual and reproductive rights and health central to a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

To be effective, you should prioritize: the hiring of staff, consultants and advisors with expertise in women’s and young people’s health and rights; clear objectives for achieving gender equality; open, transparent interactions with a broad range of civil society constituencies, including women living with HIV/AIDS and women’s organizations; and the implementation of a comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment, and care for women and girls.

I care about women and girls because _______________. With lives at risk throughout the world, I hope you will empower them in the face of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Your name