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Women to benefit from massive funding

    JOHANNESBURG

    The US-based International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) on Wednesday said women in developing countries would greatly benefit from the US $60 million pledge by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    The funds were pledged towards the development of an experimental vaginal cream (microbicides) designed to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS among women.

    "A great number of women in developing countries do not have the power to negotiate condom use. Microbicides will help empower these women," IPM's chief executive, Dr Zeda Rosenberg, told the UN news service PlusNews.

    Microbicides, which have been under development since the late 1980s, are gels, films, foams and sponges applied to the vagina to block the HI virus and other sexually transmitted diseases.

    "Although years of testing remain before microbicides will be ready for widespread use, a product could be on the market by the end of the decade," Rosenberg added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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