March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day marked around the world for the celebration of the political and social achievements of women.

This year it is important to recognize a critical barrier to achieving women’s rights: the growing crisis of HIV/AIDS. Worldwide, young women and girls are the fastest-growing group afflicted by the disease.

One promising way for governments and health care providers around the world to protect women is to integrate HIV/AIDS testing and services into family planning services.

Reproductive health care providers serve millions of women around the world and are well placed to meet those same women’s needs when it comes to HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Policymakers, donors, researchers and activists should work toward fuller integration of HIV prevention efforts into reproductive health services.

Click here for more information on:

The role of reproductive health providers in the fight against HIV/AIDS

What young people in Sub-Saharan Africa need to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS