California Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced a bill to require the president to address 12 issues that contribute to the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV in the developing world, including social and cultural factors and lack of education. Female condoms and job training are two of the recommended solutions. The bill also proposes eliminating the federal requirement that 33% of AIDS prevention funds be spent on “abstinence until marriage” programs.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I think that it's OK to be angry. I am sometimes—it's natural—we are HIV positive. but I always try to not let myself stay there too long. Let yourself feel you are human. You should not beat yourself up about being angry."
