What We Do

CHEDRA serves as an HIV prevention advocacy lead partner for the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring engaging with different stakeholders in Uganda. The number of new HIV/AIDS cases continues to challenge the world’s ability to contain the epidemic.

The treatment has been revolutionary, but treatment alone is not the solution. According to UNAIDS, although overall new infections have declined since 2010, the rate of decline is too slow to reduce annual new infections to 500,000 by 2020 and women continue to be at high risk for HIV. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to infection due to a combination of biology and gender inequities, yet they lack the tools they urgently need to protect themselves.

In Uganda, where the epidemic has hit hardest, young women ages 15-24 are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as young men. HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death for women ages 15-44 worldwide. Safe and effective microbicides, like a monthly vaginal ring or a single-use film or tablet, would put the power of protection into women’s hands.

CHEDRA does advocacy towards developing new products that will give women the tools they need to prevent HIV and protect their sexual and reproductive health. This is done in partnership with the International Partnership for Microbicides and the Uganda Virus Research Institute through Medical Research Council-Masaka Site.