Uganda Minister Calls for Increased Efforts, Resources to Prevent HIV Among Women

Ugandan Minister of State and Gender Rukia Nakadama on Friday at the opening of a forum on gender and preventive technologies in the country's capital, Kampala, called on leaders to strengthen efforts and increase resources to prevent the spread of HIV among women, the Monitor/AllAfrica.com reports. "New and long-term [HIV] prevention methods are needed, particularly methods that are within the realm of women's control," Nakadama said. Nakadama encouraged the use and development of new preventive technologies -- such as cervical barriers, vaccines and microbicides -- that enable women to protect themselves from HIV without relying on their male partners. She said women have "no control over the condom and instead have to depend on the man to protect themselves, making them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS."

In a draft communique from the meeting, a panel of doctors called on the government to allocate more resources for new preventive technologies. Uganda Women's Network Chair Grace Bantebya, who presented the communique, said the "key message is that government must invest more in new technologies and increase funding in the already existing ones to have an effective strategy against HIV/AIDS." The communique is expected to be incorporated into the Eighth Women Affairs Ministers Meeting, which is scheduled to take place June 11 through June 14 (Ajwang/Natabaio, Monitor/AllAfrica.com, 6/10).

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