Washington, D.C. – Today, Futures Group released the following
statement from Chris LeGrand, Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Farley
Cleghorn, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer:
“Futures Group applauds Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and
the Obama administration for their renewed commitment to the fight
against HIV/AIDS. In her November 8 remarks at the National Institutes
of Health, Secretary Clinton outlined a clear vision for an AIDS-free
generation.
“Secretary Clinton reaffirmed the importance of combination HIV
prevention, strategically and simultaneously using different
prevention approaches at multiple levels to respond to the epidemic.
With support from PEPFAR through USAID for the South African Sexual
HIV Prevention Program and the Swaziland Accelerated Saturation
Initiative, Futures Group is proud to be supporting partner countries
in making a comprehensive prevention approach a reality.
“Through the South African Sexual HIV Prevention Program, we are
supporting the South African government to identify and respond to key
drivers of HIV transmission, and build national and local capacity to
design and implement a package of HIV prevention activities. And under
the Swaziland Accelerated Saturation Initiative, we are supporting the
Government of Swaziland’s efforts to increase voluntary medical male
circumcision to reduce HIV rates in the country with the world’s
highest HIV infection rate.
“We applaud Secretary Clinton for stressing that these prevention
interventions cannot be successful without considering the broader
context. She noted, ‘[T]hey depend on institutional and social changes
like ending stigma; reducing discrimination against women and girls;
stopping gender-based violence and exploitation, which continue to put
women and girls at higher risk of HIV infection; and repealing laws
that make people criminals simply because of their sexual
orientation.’
“Through the Health Policy Project, supported by USAID and PEPFAR,
Futures and our partners are addressing these critical enablers by
building capacity around the world for improved health policy,
advocacy and governance. Of particular note, the project is
documenting what works in fighting stigma, and facilitating
multi-partner dialogue to integrate stigma reduction into HIV
prevention, treatment, and care programs. The project is also
advancing evidence on HIV policy and programming for women and girls
through the What Works for Women & Girls database,
www.whatworksforwomen.org/.
“We believe in an AIDS-free generation, and we look forward to
continuing to be part of America’s bold effort to fight HIV/AIDS and
promote a better world.”
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About Futures Group
Futures Group, the global consulting firm, helps to protect and
promote people’s well-being around the world. For 40 years, Futures
Group has created lasting solutions to some of the most pressing
public health challenges facing nations. For more information, please
visit www.futuresgroup.com, www.facebook.com/FuturesGroup, and
www.twitter.com/FuturesGroupGbl.
About the Health Policy
The Health Policy Project works to strengthen policy, advocacy, and
governance for strategic, equitable, and sustainable health programs
that improve the well-being of people in developing countries. For
more information, please visit www.healthpolicyproject.com.