HIV protection without a condom?

For more than a decade, HIV has quietly but steadily claimed women’s lives; today, more than half of new HIV infections occur among women. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men, and they often have less power to protect themselves against it. A successful microbicide would allow women in developing countries to sidestep the sometimes impossible conversation associated with condom use with their husbands, boyfriends, and other sexual partners. It would give them a new tool to help protect themselves against HIV infection and possibly other sexually transmitted infections.

As a unifying force for more than 55 partner groups and more than 300 endorsing organizations around the world, the Global Campaign for Microbicides, housed at PATH, is increasing awareness about and mobilizing support for microbicides, other new methods that can be controlled by women, and existing prevention options.

Together, the Global Campaign and our partners are moving microbicides from research to reality.

Increasing institutional support

The Global Campaign works to create demand and encourage investment in research and development of new HIV-prevention technologies among policymakers, opinion leaders, and the general public. Unlike the development of other health products, microbicides development has not been driven by the pharmaceutical industry. Large pharmaceutical companies are often reluctant to invest in products for which the market is unproven. In the absence of their investment, progress in microbicide research depends on mobilizing political will for public investment. The microbicides field would not be currently engaged in trials without the efforts of Global Campaign partners in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Supporting partnerships with thousands of women

Microbicides’ arrival also depends on the commitment of thousands of women actually involved in testing products. In developing countries that are hosting microbicide trials, the Global Campaign supports researchers and grassroots and community groups to build effective community partnerships.

Engaging global and local communities

The Global Campaign creates materials in support of microbicide advocacy:

• Policy briefs alert national-level decision-makers to the high rate of HIV infection among women and the impact microbicides could have.
• Media outreach raises awareness among families and individuals.
• Electronic newsletters and the Global Campaign website keep microbicide advocates up to date.
• Workshops at international and national events ensure that professionals in relevant fields stay on the cutting edge.
• Easy-to-read materials help community organizations in the field increase awareness of and build support for microbicides development.

Worth a thousand words

The Global Campaign creates inspiring media for policymakers and the public:

• Giving Women Power Over AIDS, a museum-quality traveling exhibit that is touring the United States, Canada, and Europe, features an award-winning photo essay that tells the story of a young Zimbabwean girl who loses her mother to AIDS. Her story highlights the limited HIV-prevention options available to young women and the impact that microbicides could have.
• In Women’s Hands is a compelling film that highlights the need for microbicides and reports on progress to date.
• The Microbicides Essentials Course is an online course that exposes participants to the breadth and depth of the microbicides field. The course covers the basic science of HIV and microbicides, the need for microbicides, expected use, pre-trial research, in-country trials, and issues related to access.

Further information about these media is available on the Global Campaign website.

How much closer?

The collective efforts of the Global Campaign’s partners are raising the profile of microbicides and increasing funding for research. Advocates are exchanging more and more information through journals, conferences, and discussions. So far, the US government is the largest donor to microbicides research; other public funders include the governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Commission.

As enthusiasm for microbicides grows, the Global Campaign for Microbicides looks forward to even more collaboration with partners, funders, and communities around the world. Together, we can make the possibility of microbicides a reality.

Photo: Frank Herholdt/Microbicides Development Programme.