Gender Training Manual by David Hock

Rethinking Differences and Rights in Sexual and Reproductive Health, published by Family Health International in collaboration with the Center for Information and Development of Women (CIDEM), La Paz, Bolivia, is now online at www.fhi.org/en/fp/fpother/genderguid/gendpart1.html.

R792-million boost for KZN AIDS fight

KwaZulu-Natal's battle against HIV/AIDS has been given a massive $72 million (about R792 million) boost from the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. The money will be used to fund a range of care-oriented services for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

New microbicide research partnership

The Department for International Development (DFID) is sponsoring a 16-million (Pounds Sterling), five year international collaboration of institutions in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia and the UK to develop microbicides - drugs which offer potential protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The research will be facilitated in the UK by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit and Imperial College, Faculty of Medicine.

The 'virgin cure' myth and child rape in South Africa

In recent months South Africans recoiled in horror as the drama of several brutal child rape cases unfolded. Many believe that the myth that sex with a virgin cleanses a man of HIV/AIDS is behind these atrocities. Not so, says Dr Rachel Jewkes, Director of the MRC's Gender and Health Research Group.

Swazi PWAs tell their stories

In a move considered to be a breakthrough for the conservative kingdom of Swaziland, more than thirty people living with HIV/AIDS have come forward to tell their stories in a new book to be released this week.

Erwin stands in way of cheap relief, says TAC

We are not out to overthrow the government. We are only concerned with doing the right thing. If the government is "paranoid" about our organisation it is their business.

HIV research at Mariannhill may save babies

A unique immune-boosting therapy - to be tested on 60 babies in Durban - could save the lives of thousands. Sixty HIV-infected newborn babies from KwaZulu-Natal, many facing quick and certain death, will be among the world's tiniest trailblazers in the global fight to contain the pandemic.

UK/Nicaragua exchange visits for African trainers

Ten African "Stepping Stones" trainers are visiting UK and Nicaragua during the month of May to participate in a series of Building Bridges workshops that will help them share understandings and approaches in the fields of Sexual and Reproductive Wellbeing and Domestic Violence.

SA government wakes up to flight of health workers

South Africa's leading nurses' union on Tuesday welcomed comments by the government addressing the debilitating flight of health professionals from the country.

The Voice of the People

The Global Initiative on AIDS, Inc. and the Global Initiative on AIDS in Africa is calling on African journalists, writers, physicians, scientists, researchers, health care providers, grassroots activists and citizens in general who are involved on every level of the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Africa and throughout the Diaspora to submit articles, issues, opinions, research findings, and news about HIV/AIDS-related matters.