From choice, a world of possibilities

Changing the Conversation about Trafficking and Prostitution

At the start of the twenty-first century, the United Nations adopted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, identifying human trafficking as a transnational crime. Although the world has gained awareness of the scope of the problem since then, human trafficking remains largely misunderstood.

What Effect Does Reducing Foreign Aid Have On HIV?

Sustainable development. Community development. Economic development. In my line of work, I have heard these phrases thrown around quite a bit.

But what is development?

Taking Family Planning to the Next Level in Jamaica

On today's National Day, Jamaica is celebrating a half-century of independence. As the country enters its 50th year of sovereignty, our partner FAMPLAN Jamaica is approaching its own anniversary: 55 years of bringing sexual and reproductive health and rights to all Jamaicans.

Your Future. Your Choice. Your Contraceptives.

Who is better equipped to solve issues related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health than young people themselves? In celebration of World Contraception Day, we’ve joined forces with MTV Latin America, Bayer, and the Latin American Center for Health and Women to launch the “Agents of Change” contest, which gives Latin American and Caribbean youth leaders an opportunity to broadcast their ideas to the entire world.

Are you up for the challenge?

The Impact of Isolation on HIV

I am prone to daydreaming. As I walked around the International AIDS Conference, I couldn’t help but imagine our makeshift, conference community as its own world. If we really were a community, babies would be born, relationships would form, and occasionally, situations of sexual risk would occur. Given the topic we were there to address, our world would have a high concentration of people living with HIV.

Holding the Government Accountable in the Era of Social Media

So much has been said about the Global Fund and the role of government in providing coverage for their populations. The speaker at the presentation I attended today talked about how 81 poor countries around the world have increased GDP, but people in these countries are still poor, especially in urban areas. By 2025, 60% of the wealth in the world will be concentrated in 600 cities. Two out of every three people infected with HIV will be living in a city by 2030. The role of the civil society in advancing the HIV agenda is critical to achieving better results.

¿Qué Pasó Con Lo Firmado?: Measuring Success in the Region

In August 2008, at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, the health and education ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean signed a landmark declaration. The resulting agreement, Ministerial Declaration, “Preventing through Education,” set ambitious goals to expand young people's access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.

¿Qué Pasó Con Lo Firmado?: I Demand My Sexuality Education

Four years ago, at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, ministers of health and education from Latin America and the Caribbean promised to expand comprehensive sexuality education programs for young people. Four years ago, we were promised that the two ministries would work together to include young people in the design of public policies for sexuality education and youth-friendly health services to prevent new HIV infections among young people.

Global Health in the 21st Century

We like to believe we are in control of our health, but well-being isn't simply in the hands of the individual. It is influenced by economic, social, and political factors as well.

Men in the Movement: Habib Rahman

Habib Rahman is a man who promotes women's ability to speak out for themselves. He advocates for not just any women, but some of the most stigmatized and discriminated against women in Bangladeshi society.