Europeans reject abstinence message in split with US on Aids

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EU urges African nations not to heed Bush agenda
Condoms 'most effective' weapon against pandemic

Europe, led by the UK, last night signalled a major split with the United States over curbing the Aids pandemic in a statement that tacitly urged African governments not to heed the abstinence-focused agenda of the Bush administration. The statement, released for World Aids Day today, emphasises the fundamental importance of condoms, sex education and access to reproductive health services. "We are profoundly concerned about the resurgence of partial or incomplete messages on HIV prevention which are not grounded in evidence and have limited effectiveness," it says.


While the US is not named, there is widespread anxiety over the effect of its pro-abstinence agenda in countries such as Uganda, where statements by Janet Museveni, the president's wife, and alleged problems with supply have led to a serious shortage of condoms. The US has pledged $15bn (£8.6bn) over five years to fight the disease, most of which is channelled through the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar). Pepfar grants come with conditions, however - two thirds of the money has to go to pro-abstinence programmes, and it is not available to any organisations with clinics that offer abortion services or even counselling. The US is also opposed to the provision of needles and syringes to drug users on the grounds that it could be construed as encouraging their habit.

But the statement from 22 EU member states, released at a meeting under the UK presidency in London yesterday, calls on developing world governments to use every prevention tool, from condoms to clean needles to sexual health clinics, in a bid to slow down the spread of HIV. UNAids' latest figures show 40 million people are now infected, and the rate is rising as fast as ever. "We, the European Union, firmly believe that, to be successful, HIV prevention must utilise all approaches known to be effective, not implementing one or a few selective actions in isolation," it says.


The international development secretary, Hilary Benn, told the Guardian that the evidence had shown what worked, from tackling stigma to supplying condoms and clean needles. "It is very important that those messages are heard loud and clear by everybody," he said.
Asked whether the UK disagreed with the US emphasis on abstinence, he said: "Abstinence works if people can abstain, but I don't think people should die because they have sex. We need to make sure people have all the means at their disposal - condoms and clean needles. It includes education and access to sexual and reproductive health services. We are very clear about that."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmasappeal2005/story/0,16796,1654865,00.html

[Angry Girl]

1. Thank god! That abstinence BS has been killing people for years!

If only Barbara Bush had abstained ... *sigh*... hundreds of thousands would be alive today.

URGENT! Timing is critical to save freezing earthquake victims!

[MountainLaurel]

2. Glad someone has half a brain

As this nation devolves into a theocracy, we're apparently going to take the rest of the world down the drain with us.

[triguy46]

3. This is why *s new statement on AIDS is meaningless

he uses codespeak and obfuscation, but the fact that today he emphasized "faith based" organizations as key to his solution. Sure, I can bet little baptist ladies are going to be on the front lines showing how to use a condom. In fact, HHS now prevents any HIV/AIDS/condom programming that does NOT include their new "condoms don't work" message. Abstinence is a failed approach and just a repackaging of nancy reagan's "Just say no."