On the political front, national and local political and opinion leaders have started to speak out in a growing number of countries - most of them only over the last year. On the prevention front, there have been many real achievements. In a number of places, HIV infection rates finally appear to be slowing down. Not just in industrialised countries, like here in the Netherlands, but in developing countries as well. In Brazil, Senegal, Thailand, Uganda, and now in parts of Tanzania, where HIV rates among young women have been cut by 40 per cent as a result of strong prevention programmes.
Prevention does work.
The evidence has never been clearer. And, today, we have more options than ever. New tools such as the female condom are now much more widely available to women in developing countries through our negotiation of a public sector pricing deal and through social marketing. Millions are being sold, and used. Women have more choice.