Giving Women Power Over AIDS, a traveling exhibit designed to raise awareness and support for the global war on AIDS and emerging HIV prevention technologies such as microbicides, will be presented by The Institute for Community Research (ICR) and the CT AIDS Education and Training Center of the Yale School of Nursing. The exhibit opens on Tuesday, April 26 from 3:00 to 7:00pm at the Jean J. Schensul Community Gallery at ICR, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 (corner of Wyllys St. & Columbus Blvd.). The opening reception features a poster session highlighting the results of local and international HIV prevention efforts with women (3 to 4:00pm); panel discussion with local HIV experts and advocates (4 to 5:30pm); and refreshments and live music.

"Giving Women Power Over AIDS is an inspiring account of one woman's strength and very personal struggle with the global AIDS epidemic," said Laurie Sylla, Director of the CT AIDS Education and Training Center. "But the themes of the exhibit -- empowering women around the globe, concern for the future well-being of our children, and perseverance and hope in the face of overwhelming adversity -- are truly universal."

"Worldwide, women now account for over 50% of those infected with HIV," noted Margaret Weeks, Ph.D., AIDS Researcher and ICR Executive Director. "Our research shows that gender inequality contributes greatly to the spread of AIDS. Societal, cultural and economic factors make it difficult for many women, whether in a city like Hartford or in sub-Saharan Africa, to negotiate condom use or protection with their partners," she added. "This is why we need to embrace research into new female-controlled HIV prevention technologies such as the female condom and microbicides."

Panelists include Margaret Weeks, ICR; Kaye White, HIV Prevention Counselor, AIDS Project Hartford; Brian Liebert, HIV Prevention Counselor, Community Health Services; and Bindiya Patel, North American Sites Coordinator, Global Campaign for Microbicides. Laurie Sylla from the CT AIDS Education and Training Center will moderate the panel.

In 2003, reporter Paula Bock and photographer Betty Udesen of The Seattle Times traveled to Zimbabwe to get a firsthand look at the reality of HIV/AIDS. The resulting photo-essay is one of the most gripping visual representations to date for deepening the understanding of women's vulnerabilities to HIV and the role that new prevention technologies, such as microbicides, could play in reducing women's risk.

Recently named one of the "10 most promising biotechnologies for improving global health," microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women and their partners could apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections. Over 60 candidate microbicides are in the pipeline and 18 are already in clinical testing, with 6 of those entering late-stage testing this year. Many researchers believe that, with an increase in funding and cooperation, a microbicide could be available to women in developing nations within five years. Even a partially-effective microbicide could stop 2.5 million infections over three years.

The opening reception for Giving Women Power Over AIDS is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs through April 28, 2005. Gallery Hours: 11:00am - 4:00pm. For more information about the exhibit or to arrange a group visit, call 860-278-2044.

Other Related Events (free to the public)
SPEAKERS' LUNCHEON: Confronting AIDS in India and Uganda
Thursday, April 28, 12:00 - 2:00pm
Speakers: Bonnie Nastasi, Ph.D. (ICR) and Kevin Dieckhaus, M.D. (UCONN Health Center). Lunch is provided. R.S.V.P. by April 21 at 860-278-2044.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Global Campaign for Microbicides and CT Microbicides Now; the reception and Speakers' Luncheon by The Institute for Community Research and the CT AIDS Education and Training Center of the Yale School of Nursing.

The Institute for Community Research is an independent non-profit research institute that conducts research in collaboration with community partners to promote justice and equity in a diverse world. Our applied research projects and programs support community enhancement related to issues of health, education and cultural heritage.

The CT AIDS Education and Training Center (CAETC), located at the Yale School of Nursing, is a federally-funded program that is part of a nationwide network of eleven regional education centers established in 1987. CAETC is a satellite of the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC), University of Massachusetts. CAETC's mission is to increase the number of Connecticut health care providers effectively trained to counsel, diagnose, treat and manage the care of individuals with HIV infection and to assist in the prevention of high risk behavior which may lead to infection.

The Global Campaign for Microbicides is a broad-based, international effort to build support among policymakers, opinion leaders, and the general public for increased investment into microbicides and other user-controlled prevention methods. Through advocacy, policy analysis, and social science research, the Campaign works to accelerate product development, facilitate widespread access and use, and protect the needs and interests of users, especially women. CT Microbicides NOW is the CT affiliate of the Global Campaign for Microbicides.

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