Giving Compass' Take:

• Neeraja Bhavaraju explains how innovations put HIV protection in the hands of women in male-dominated cultures, preventing the spread of the infection. 

• How can philanthropy support these innovations? What are other consequences of male-domination in these communities? 

• Learn about the danger of letting the HIV epidemic get out of control.

While we have made tremendous strides against HIV over the past several decades, one challenge has remained persistently unaddressed—the ability of women to protect themselves, and others, against HIV.

Using condoms is not so easy. If you try and negotiate, it’s like you’re saying you’re not being faithful. [Ring and oral PrEP] would give me ownership. I don’t have to tell my partner I’m using them.

For too long, the decision to use prevention has been controlled by men, either directly or indirectly through their ability to withhold agreement to condom use even if a female partner requests it. To expect that we can control HIV without options for women, who account for 52 percent of HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, is to expect the impossible.

Thankfully, recent innovations are looking to address that gap. Oral PrEP, a daily pill that when taken consistently reduces the risk of HIV transmission upwards of 90 percent, is increasingly seen as a prevention product for women, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who are at high-risk for HIV.

Read the full article on female-controlled HIV prevention by Neeraja Bhavaraju at FSG.