Microbicide Development Act (S. 823 & H.R. 1420)
Introduced by Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)

What it is
Why you should support it
Bill status
Take action
For more information

What it is>>
Microbicides refer to a range of products—usually creams, gels, or suppositories—that are applied vaginally and could be used by women to protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Microbicide Development Act would require a U.S. government plan to expedite the development of microbicides and enable funding for a range of activities needed to achieve this goal, including clinical trials and behavioral and social science research relevant to microbicide development, testing, acceptability, and use.

Why you should support it>>

• Microbicides could help reverse HIV/AIDS rates among women. Approximately 7,000 women are infected with HIV every day, and in almost every region of the world, infection rates among women—young women in particular—are climbing. Women are biologically more vulnerable to STIs—including HIV—than men, and the younger a woman is, the greater her biological susceptibility. Microbicides would add a female-controlled method to the prevention toolbox, and could prevent 2.5 million HIV infections over three years.

• Microbicides allow women to take prevention into their own hands. Lack of power in relationships, reinforced by social and economic inequalities and damaging gender norms, make it difficult for many women to protect themselves against HIV. Because of these pervasive inequities, women are often unable to negotiate condom use with their partners and can face threats of violence or accusations of infidelity if they insist that their partners (who are often themselves unfaithful) use condoms. Responsive to the realities of women's lives, microbicides empower women to protect themselves without depending on their partner's permission. For women that can use male or female condoms, microbicides can provide additional protection.

• Microbicides may allow women to become mothers without risking HIV infection. Many women hope to become mothers, and in some instances their social status and security is based on their ability to have children. Because current HIV prevention methods (including abstinence) also prevent conception, women must choose between protecting themselves against HIV and becoming pregnant. Unlike any existing technology, some microbicides would enable women to become pregnant while also protecting themselves against HIV (for women who wish to avoid becoming pregnant, microbicides with contraceptive properties are also being developed).

Bill status>>
The Microbicide Development Act was introduced in the Senate and the House on International Women's Day, March 8, 2007. Click here to read Senator Barack Obama's introductory statement.

Take action>>
Help build support for this vital legislation. Make three phone calls today.

• Contact your Senators today and ask them to co-sponsor the Microbicide Development Act (S. 823). Click here to access your Senators' contact information.
• Contact your Representative today and ask him or her to co-sponsor the Microbicide Development Act (H.R. 1420). Click here to find your Representative and his or her contact information.

For more information>>
About women's disproportionate vulnerability to HIV/AIDS:
IWHC Overview on women's vulnerability
IWHC Issue Brief: Women and HIV/AIDS
IWHC Issue Brief: Child Marriage: Girls 14 and Younger At Risk
Human Rights Watch on Women and AIDS

About microbicides:
Global Campaign for Microbicides
International Partnership for Microbicides
UNAIDS
World Health Organization