Women susceptible to AIDS through lack of contraception

The lack of access to contraception in developing countries has resulted in a disproportionate number of HIV-positive women, the UN has said.

In its latest report, 'The State of World Population 2004', the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that 350 million people had little or no access to safer sex measures.

Although progress had been made in creating laws to enhance the reproductive health and rights of women since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Egypt, UNFPA pointed out that continued "discrimination and violence" made women especially vulnerable to HIV infection.

"The response of the international community has been inadequate. Past commitments to development assistance must move from declarations of good intentions to active partnerships and investments," the report suggested.