New method of protection against HIV/AIDS/HSV-2 for women!

Earlier this week my Mother told me about a new product that curbs the risk of HIV infection. At first I was skeptical, I thought her story was too good to be true. I went home later that day and did some research to try and confirm if what my Mother heard on the radio was the real deal.

Within minutes I found an article which supported her claims and made me really excited! Finally some progress is being made! It is true, scientists have reported that there is a new gel that has proved capable of preventing the AIDS virus!

A study conducted in South Africa report that the gel has the potential to reduce a women's chances of getting HIV and HSV-2 virus from an infected partner by half. And though this is not full protection such news brings great hope for women all over the world.

The gel would be a helpful tool in protecting women whose partners won't use condoms. It would have an even greater impact in African countries which have the highest incidence of rape and child rape. The long-lived belief in the so called “Virgin Cure” make young African girls especially vulnerable to rape and infection. In places like the Congo where girls as young as 2 and women as old as 80 are raped such protection is vital!

The new vagina gel is the first women-initiated and controlled HIV prevention and if confirmed it would help end the AIDS epidemic. Thirty three million people are infected today and over twenty five million people have died due to this disease. The AIDS epidemic is a global issue and it has to stop. I personally have lost someone to AIDS and I look forward to the day when people no longer have to suffer. Though we still do not have a cure for AIDS science has brought women some more options for protection and this is progress!

Federal response to Dr. Tiller's assassination

President Obama's lukewarm statement on Tiller's murder:

"I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence."

We're disappointed the president made no mention of law enforcement or justice in this matter. Condemning violence is a good start, but we were looking for real leadership.

However, we are optimistic President Obama's support is more behind-the-scenes. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is devoting Department of Justice resources toward protecting abortion providers. Statement from Holder:

"The murder of Doctor George Tiller is an abhorrent act of violence, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers at this tragic moment. Federal law enforcement is coordinating with local law enforcement officials in Kansas on the investigation of this crime, and I have directed the United States Marshals Service to offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation.

"The Department of Justice will work to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. As a precautionary measure, we will also take appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring."

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was similarly sympathetic. As the Kansas governor, she had worked with Dr. Tiller and was supportive of his work. Her statement (see pg. 4 of WaPo story):

"This is sad and shocking news. My prayers go out to the Tiller family and to the members of his church who witnessed this terrible crime."

If you want to send your condolences and support to Dr. Tiller's family and clinic, use this page and FMF can forward your remarks.

Our thoughts are with his family. We remain grateful to the doctors and their staffs who provide abortion services, and to the volunteers, politicians, and organizations that continue working to protect choice.

Clinic violence is not new, and if we do not organize to protect choice, it may continue. To learn more about recent and past clinic terrorism across the country, browse the data we've collected from clinics since 1993. The most recent survey results were released in February, and you can see that and past surveys on our National Clinic Access Project site.

Dr. Tiller's assassination is the reason our work is still, now more than ever, so important. If you and I do not keep agitating for reproductive freedom, we will lose it.

P.S. We welcome thoughtful, respectful comments and e-mails. If you are condoning clinic violence, post those thoughts on your own blog, not ours. Thanks.