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 >>

“Rectal microbicides are a very important new prevention technology. They bring attention to anal intercourse and provide protection for those who practice it, regardless of their sexual identities.” Olumide is an IRMA advocate from Lagos, Nigeria. He works at TIERs (The Initiative for Equal Rights) for the rights of LGBT people and sexual health rights. He loves Read More >>

by IRMA advocate Bisi Alimi (pictured in purple, with IRMA advocate Kadiri Audu at the recent Project ARM – Africa for Rectal Microbicides meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.) While I was in secondary school, I was always told that anal sex is something between two men. Many anti-gay activists have used this sexual practice as a Read More >>

Dearest IRMA members – Just a quick note to say THANK YOU for everything you have done this year to advance the research and development of safe, effective, acceptable, and accessible rectal microbicides for the human beings who need them. I think IRMA has had a banner year – and the reason it was so incredible is Read More >>

via Nigerian Tribune, by Muda Oyeniran Not less than 12 percent of public secondary school students in Nigeria practise anal sex while 12.1 per cent of university students and 15.2 per cent adolescents in northern Nigeria engage in the act. Morenike Ukpong, the coordinator of the New Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, who Read More >>

via IRIN Africa Rights groups in Nigeria fear a same-sex marriage bill being discussed in parliament could boost already prevalent discrimination against homosexuals. The bill goes much further than banning same-sex marriage; it threatens to ban the formation of groups supporting homosexuality, with imprisonment for anyone who “witnesses, abet[s] or aids” same-gender relationships, and could lead to Read More >>

“I believe there should be other HIV prevention options for gay men all around the world and especially Africa and Nigeria where same sex is taboo, which has made it very difficult for most gay men and MSM to access HIV prevention services.” Michael Ighodaro is an IRMA advocate from Abuja, Nigeria. He is a social worker Read More >>

Five years ago on October 5 2006, we lost our brother and colleague Omololu Falobi. Those who knew Omololu professionally will remember him, among many other things – as a talented journalist on HIV, as an activist for social justice, as an advocate for prevention research and as a son of Africa in his zeal to ensure Read More >>

via International Microbicides Conference Secretariat Do you need funding to attend M2012? The M2012 organisers are pleased to announce that scholarships are available to attend the conference in Sydney, Australia. Scholarships will be offered in four categories that each have distinct criteria: 1. Research 2. Community 3. Government Official/ Public Health Policy4. Media Click here to find Read More >>

There wasn’t a ton of rectal microbicide coverage at the recent IAS in Rome, but here is some content from the conference on this topic. Acceptability of potential rectal microbicide delivery mechanisms for HIV preventionAbstractSlides/Audio Acceptability of microbicides and other new prevention technologies among MSM in Greater Buenos Aires, ArgentinaPoster Mobilizing MSM community in Nigeria to support Read More >>