Mimi Melles's blog

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has finally been reauthorized for another five years, and it’s time to hold the United States accountable for its work.  It’s pretty clear that, under PEPFAR, the rights of women and young people are ignored.  The many strings attached to its plan undermine the needs of women and young people and their ability to have ownership over their own reproductive and sexual health. 

One of the most harmful pieces within PEPFAR II is the requirement that the State Department report to Congress any time a country with a generalized epidemic expends less than 50 percent of its funds to prevent sexual transmission of HIV on abstinence, delay of sexual debut, monogamy, fidelity, or partner reduction.  Evidence from best practices indicates that a comprehensive prevention strategy that also includes education about condoms and harm reduction are critical to achieving a substantial reduction in new infections.   read more »

Ok, I’m back…that wasn’t too long--was it?

Now—of course, the feminista in me always comes out, especially at a conference where there are so many opportunities to learn about what experts are doing at the policy and programmatic level to address gender inequities.   read more »

As an organizer of the Mexico YouthForce Pre-Conference, I can say that I've had a little more time to adjust to the intensity and excitement of the Mexico City International AIDS Conference longer than have most participants.  In a few words, the Pre-Conference is a forum for 250 youth participants (who are attending the Main Conference) to discuss issues on youth and HIV/AIDS and to develop skills on how to write effectively for the media, influence decision makers, and advocate on the Mexico YouthForce key messages of Rights, Respect, Responsibility and Resources.

Now it's the day after the Opening Session of the Main Conference.  I'm still recovering from the work of a successful Pre-Conference and simultaneously soaking up and processing the breadth of interesting HIV/AIDS experts, knowledge and materials, media, and arts surrounding the multi-faceted issue of HIV and AIDS.  Of course, this is all very exciting, especially when I have the pleasure of reuniting with colleagues I've worked with diligently through email and phone calls, but haven't actually seen since the Toronto International AIDS Conference in 2006!   read more »