March 8, 2022—This International Women’s Day, we are reflecting on what it takes to #EmbraceEquity when it comes to women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. For decades, women have borne the brunt of the national HIV/AIDS epidemic, signalling that we still have a long way to go in closing the gender gap in health outcomes.
There is no one solution – but embracing equity must be central to HIV/AIDS responses. Biologically, women are not only more susceptible to HIV infection, but factors such as power imbalances in sexual relationships and gender-based violence can also increase one’s risk.
At MAC, rather than taking an approach that is one-size-fits-all to address the myriad of issues around us when it comes to women we look to actively support them within our own sphere of influence. We’ve heard repeatedly from women that they want and deserve greater choice. It is the tailor-making solutions for women that have it at their core so that they can choose one that fits their circumstances and lifestyles without judgement.
This is an exciting time in HIV prevention for us at MAC. Along with condoms, PrEP and an array of various other HIV programmes for women in Malaysia, women will have access to an array of HIV prevention options. We (as in everyone) must be open to learning, thinking about and valuing each other for what each individual can do that is of service to all, not what package we come in.
Together we urge everyone to help each other to accelerate equality, and empowerment and protect young women and girls from HIV this International Women’s Day.
