What We're Reading: Texting, Flooding, The End of AIDS in Malawi, and What Women and Girls Need

Posted by Jane Coaston
Washington, D.C.
March 29, 2013

Malawi health minister Catherine Gotani Hara
at the launch of an EGPAF-supported
five-year project to improve HIV/AIDS services
and strengthen local health systems.
(Photo: Eric Kilongi/EGPAF)

This week, we’re reading about how texting is helping women in Tanzania have healthier pregnancies, thinking about the connection between HIV and tuberculosis (TB), learning about a new EGPAF-supported program in Malawi, and remembering the importance of fighting for women and girls.

What Young Women and Girls Need

Posted by Florence Ngobeni-Allen
Johannesburg, South Africa
March 29, 2013

EGPAF Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen
and EGPAF Board Chairwoman Willow Bay.
(Photo: EGPAF)

EGPAF Global Advocate Florence Ngobeni-Allen is a tireless champion for women and girls. After losing her daughter Nomthunzi to AIDS, Florence became an outspoken advocate for women living with HIV. In this blog, Florence writes candidly about her experiences as a young woman in South Africa, and why she is so driven to work for a better world for women. This blog is deeply personal, and Florence shares some very painful memories. We are honored and privileged to work with such a strong woman.

In Malawi, Marching Towards the End of AIDS

Posted by Chip Lyons
Lilongwe, Malawi
March 28, 2013

EGPAF President and CEO Chip Lyons speaks
at the launch of a new EGPAF project
supporting HIV treatment and health systems
strengthening in Malawi.
(Photo: Eric Kilongi/EGPAF)

This week, EGPAF CEO and President, Chip Lyons, traveled to the country offices in Malawi, the first country in Africa to create a policy at the national level using the World Health Organization (WHO)’s “Option B+” strategy, which provides life-long antiretroviral treatment (ART) to all HIV-infected pregnant women regardless of their immunity (CD4) levels.

Let's Talk About It

Posted by Jamie Gentille
Reston, VA
March 28, 2013

The cover of EGPAF Ambassador
Jamie Gentille’s new book, “Surviving HIV:
Growing Up a Secret and Being Positive”

Jamie Gentille, an EGPAF Ambassador, gives us a preview of her newly published memoir Surviving HIV: Growing Up and Secret and Being Positive and shares her inspiring message of hope.

Championing The End of Pediatric AIDS: First Lady of Uganda launches Option B+

Posted by Irene Edith Nabusoba
Kampala, Uganda
March 27, 2013

Children entertain guests at the Option B+
launch in Kampala, Uganda.
(Photo: Irene Nabusoba/EGPAF)

March 22 was a day of promises, recommitments, and pledges to end pediatric HIV infections in Uganda, as the country’s first lady launched Option B+ and a campaign to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT).

Closing the Health Care Gap in Cote d'Ivoire

Posted by Claire O'Connor
Washington, D.C.
March 26, 2013

To date, EGPAF has helped more than 1 million
women access PMTCT services in Cote d'Ivoire.
(Photo: Olivier Asselin/EGPAF)

During a recent trip to Cote d'Ivoire, Country Officer Claire O' Connor, had the opportunity to learn about a program that was started in 2008 by EGPAF in association with the National Institute of Training for Social Workers (INFS). The 9-month program was designed to help all certified social workers learn how to effectively provide psychosocial support for PLHIV and pregnant women in need of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services.