What's New

In a new commentary for CSIS, Janet examines the impact on women and girls of the Trump administration’s abrupt dismantling of U.S. foreign assistance and global health programming. She argues that the shuttering of 80 percent of USAID,  along with deep cuts to PEPFAR, mean that: “Women and girls in Africa are at escalated risk of violence, exploitation, poverty, and HIV infection.” Recent gains for women and girls in high-burden countries are now under distinct threat, she says, with severe health security and economic consequences, both for those countries and the United States.

Janet concludes that countries with high HIV prevalence rates “must now make tough choices about how to keep vulnerable young women healthy, safe, and economically productive, goals that donors, the private sector, and civil society organizations could help them achieve.” Despite the glaring gap left by the U.S. withdrawal, she argues that U.S. resources and capacity still have a critical role to play in scaling up new prevention options.

Drawing on lessons learned from over a decade U.S. investments in HIV prevention for women and girls, notably from the DREAMS initiative, Janet charts a path forward for national governments and their partners.