India will expand its female condom program from eight states to 17 in an effort to control HIV rates among female sex workers and other women at high risk, The Times of India reports. The program empowers women to encourage condom use with their partners and to address concerns about male partners’ unwillingness to use protection. The program could expand nationwide once data from the 17 states is reviewed. Nearly 50 percent of new HIV cases annually in India occur among women.

To read The Times of India article, click here.