New York Times: Melinda Gates: Eliminating Bias in Family Planning Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “…As the largest generation in history enters its reproductive years, the evidence tells us that bias is one of the biggest barriers standing between these 1.8 billion young people and…

FIGO: Empowering Africa’s young women Jennifer Crago, director of communications, advocacy, and publications at FIGO, discusses the importance of investing in adolescent health in Africa. Crago writes, “Young people are sub-Saharan Africa’s greatest asset, but it is only through investing in their lives, including in their sexual and reproductive health…

Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Back to School: Educating Girls to Fight HIV Aria Vyas, intern at Friends of the Global Fight, discusses the role of education in preventing HIV among girls. Vyas notes, “A quality education is essential for children, but for girls at…

IntraHealth International’s “Vital”: One Major Reason the AIDS Epidemic Isn’t Going Away Lindsey Freeze, brand and creative services manager at IntraHealth International, discusses the challenges of stigma and discrimination in efforts to make progress on HIV/AIDS. Freeze writes, “Investing in strategies to eliminate institutional practices that cause shame, fear, and…

Devex: At AIDS 2018, a strong push for HIV self-testing. But is everyone on board? (Ravelo, 8/2). Devex: Q&A: How mobile technology can help achieve the SDGs (Roby, 8/2). Forbes: Icons of Impact: A Global Surgeon Who Invests In Impact (Doherty, 8/1). The Guardian: Professor forced into hiding by death…

The Guardian: Death of 10-year-old girl prompts first FGM prosecution in Somalia’s history “Somalia’s attorney general has announced the nation’s first prosecution for female genital mutilation after a 10-year-old girl bled to death following a traditional cutting last week. The announcement has been described as a ‘defining moment’ in a…

Thomson Reuters Foundation: Somalia announces first prosecution for female genital mutilation “Somalia’s Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir announced on Wednesday the country’s first ever prosecution against female genital mutilation (FGM) following the death of a 10-year-old girl, an adviser to the government said. Ifrah Ahmed, who advises Somalia on gender…

Devex: UNAIDS chief confronted by anti-harassment protestors on stage in Amsterdam “Campaigners hijacked the opening of the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam to protest the presence of Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, who they accused of being ‘an enabler and protector of sexual harassment.’…

IntraHealth International’s “VITAL”: Twelve Years Later, HIV in Namibia Looks Very Different Kate Stratten, director for Southern Africa Programs at IntraHealth International, discusses the HIV-related health and social challenges adolescent girls and young women face in Namibia. Stratten writes, “[W]hile numbers, targets, and results are important, they cannot take priority…

IDSA’s “Science Speaks”: AIDS 2018: Series of community-wide HIV household surveys have shown directions, possibilities, PEPFAR leader says (Barton, 7/23). IntraHealth International’s “VITAL”: This Tanzanian Couple Plans Together, Dreams Together, and Fights HIV Transmission Together (Mndeme/Bales, 7/23). ONE Blog: This just in: AIDS is still a crisis (Ottenhoff, 7/24). UNAIDS:…