Today IRMA, in collaboration with amfAR and AVAC, is excited to release a re-designed Version 2.0  of the GLAM Toolkit: Advocacy to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa. The Toolkit is now available in French in addition to English – making it more useful for Francophone speakers in Africa – and the new design makes Read More >>

IRMA*, amfAR*, and AVAC* are delighted to announce that IRMA Nigeria (in partnership with International Center on Advocacy for the Right to Health), Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL), and an organisation in Zambia** have been awarded Global Lube Access Mobilisation (GLAM) funding to campaign for access to safe, condom-compatible lubricants in their communities. Throughout the world, and Read More >>

Today, IRMA,  in collaboration with amfAR and AVAC, is delighted to officially release Version 1.0 of The GLAM Toolkit: Advocacy to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa. The Toolkit provides background on the status of lubricant (lube) access in Africa and strategies for civil society and government partners to secure and distribute sustainable supplies of Read More >>

via Science Speaks, by Antigone Barton When he looks at what biomedical science can do in the next decade to prevent HIV transmission, Jim Turpin of the National Institutes of Health said, he thinks of the lyrics of a Timbuk3 song: “The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.” By, which, actually, he means — don’t get Read More >>

via IRMA/AVAC, presented by Jim A. Turpin Please register for this teleconference.  Meeting Description: In the last two years there has been great progress in ARV-based prevention strategies – both in terms of PrEP and microbicides. Specifically, there has been enormous excitement and promise around two drugs – tenofovir and Truvada. And more recently, studies testing Dapivirine Read More >>

via Citizen News Service, by Bobby Ramakant At the recently concluded XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), not only the decibels went up on ending AIDS but also sane voices were heard demanding a well-costed and thought-through strategy on how to end AIDS. One of the strategies that will complement a comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and Read More >>

via Survey Monkey, for [Project ARM] GLAM Lube Distribution Survey Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this survey on lubricant distribution in your country. International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) has launched a special initiative called “Project ARM – Africa for Rectal Microbicides” to ensure rectal microbicide research and advocacy are on the African map. Read More >>

[Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012.] via Citizen News Service, by Chief K Masimba Biriwasha Condom-compatible lubes are a rarity in Africa forcing transgender women, gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual populations that engage Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Carol Odada, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Carol is one of six new bios just posted yesterday, including individuals from Thailand, Kenya and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of them here right Read More >>

Please join IRMA and friends for this rectally riveting satellite session at AIDS 2012 – scheduled for Sunday, July 22 from 3:45 – 5:45pm in Mini Room 8 in the Convention Center – before you are totally burnt out from too much conference! Get the latest news on rectal microbicides – from the scientific and advocacy fronts Read More >>