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Home » Regional Activities » Africa

Africa

Welcome to Global Campaign Africa!

About GC Africa:

The Global Campaign for Microbicides has been working with partner organisations in the region to provide information and build the capacity of communities on microbicides and other related female-initiated barrier methods. As the search for microbicides has gained increase recognition as a tool capable of turning the tide of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Campaign has gone through an expansion process in order to position itself to effectively play its role. Two staff members are based in Africa, in Nairobi and Johannesburg, both strengthening community involvement in microbicides research and development processes. To contact the secretariat, please click here.

The Campaign’s main work in the region entails building the capacity of local partners to engage communities meaningfully through utilising opportunities that exist for mainstreaming microbicides knowledge, awareness and advocacy. Development of new models for enhancing meaningful community involvement in microbicides research is a key strategy that the Campaign is pursuing as it appreciates the complexity of involvement of communities in prevention technologies research despite community involvement being a critical part of research.

We invite you to join our extensive global network of advocates throughout the world.

NEWS FLASH! Two major trial networks consult with southern African advocates On 18-19 October 2007, the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) and Population Council convened the Advocates' Consultation on HIV Prevention Trials: Carraguard and VOICE Studies with 25 African advocates in Johannesburg, South Africa. See report in GC News #88 at http://www.global-campaign.org/clientfiles/GCNews88.pdf. A summary report of the meeting and the key issues, recommendations and action items it elicited is now available, click here (518kb)!. Meeting participants (clockwise from bottom left): Margaret Muganwa (SWAA International/Uganda), Cecelia Mhiti (Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination, Zimbabwe), Anna Forbes (GCM), Anna-Colletor Penduka (Women’s AIDS Support Network, Zimbabwe) and Clementine Mumba (Treatment Action and Literacy Campaign, Zambia)

Reality in Africa:

Africa has borne the brunt of the epidemic with over 60% of the world’s HIV/AIDS infected people. The devastating effects of the disease are apparent on all sectors of the society affecting in particular the most vulnerable groups especially women. The epidemic has taken on the face of a woman with 59% of the total infected persons being women. The vulnerability of women continues to be fueled by myriad factors including social and cultural practices and economic factors. An array of interventions has been put in place to counter this trend but has not met women’s need for protection as the existing ABC (abstinence, being faithful and condom use) strategy is not a reality for most women. The search for microbicides and other user-initiated prevention methods holds a promise to put the power over AIDS in the hands of women. Microbicides trials are underway in different countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa among others. This therefore calls for increased efforts in facilitating community involvement in microbicides research and development processes.