PRESS RELEASES
2008
Press Release: aPRIL 21
ICRW Announces New COO
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) is pleased to announce that Sarah Degnan Kambou, previously vice president for health and development, has been promoted to chief operating officer, effective April 4.
Postion Statement: March 28
Senate PEPFAR Reauthorization Bill Moves Closer to Helping Women, Girls
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation March 13 to reauthorize the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, to $50 billion for fiscal years 2009 to 2013, which will significantly bolster the reach and effectiveness of the U.S. global AIDS program.
ICRW commends the Senate for including provisions to strengthen PEPFAR’s priority to women and girls and laying out stronger measures to hold PEPFAR accountable for the gender focus. ICRW also applauds the Senate committee’s decision to eliminate the requirement that one-third of funds be directed toward programs promoting “abstinence and be faithful” behavior, which will allow countries more flexiblity to tailor prevention efforts to local needs.
Nevertheless, ICRW is disappointed that the Senate committee remained silent on the important issue of integrating HIV/AIDS information and services into family planning programs and retained the requirement that PEPFAR recipients pledge their opposition to prostitution.
Read ICRW's full position statement.
Press Release: March 5
ICRW Awards Gala Honors Global Leaders for Advancing the Well-Being and Economic Progress of Women and Girls
Salud y Género, Standard Chartered Bank Honored
for Their Work to Improve Women’s Lives
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has issued a challenge for U.S. and world leaders to take a stand, listen to the needs of women and girls, and use their influence to implement the “right solutions” to advance the progress and opportunities for women and girls in impoverished nations around the world.
Read the press release.
Media Advisory: Feb. 29
PEPFAR Reauthorization Must Protect Women From HIV Risks by Integrating HIV/AIDS Services Into Reproductive Health Programs
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta commends House Committee for adopting HIV prevention strategy for women and girls, but adds reproductive health services are key to strategy
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) commends the House Foreign Affairs Committee for the recent bipartisan agreement to develop a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy for women and girls as part of the U.S. global AIDS plan reauthorization legislation.
Read the press release.
Media Advisory: Feb. 13
Photo Exhibit on Capitol Hill to Draw Attention to Child Marriage and Policy Solutions to End the Practice
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Stephanie Sinclair's striking images document child marriages in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Nepal
ICRW will launch the photo exhibit, The Bride Price: Consequences of Child Marriage Worldwide, on Capitol Hill. The exhibit showcases a series of photographs and stories of girls and young women who married as children. The dramatic photos, by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Stephanie Sinclair, document child marriages in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Nepal. Sinclair’s images on child marriage and other global challenges have been featured in The New York Times Magazine, TIME, Newsweek and U.S. News
& World Report.
Read the media advisory.
Media Advisory: feb. 5
ICRW Gala to Honor Global Leaders for Advancing Health and Economic Progress of Women and Girls
ICRW will host its annual gala, “Champions for Change,” to celebrate and salute exemplary leaders and organizations that are working to advance the health, well-being and economic progress of women and girls through their policies, programs and partnerships. The gala will be held March 5, 6:30 p.m., on the eve of International Women’s Day, at Union Station in Washington, D.C. This inspiring event will feature dinner, an Investing in Women awards presentation, and a live auction with former Washington Post columnist Bob Levey. Sarah Jones, Tony Award-winning playwright, actor and poet, will perform a one-woman act portraying characters from around the globe.
Read the media advisory.
press release: JAN. 24
There are Solutions to the Gender-Based Violence that is Helping Drive the Pandemic off HIV & AIDS, Experts Tell Congress
As Lawmakers Consider PEPFAR and I I-VAWA,
Exp Experts Urge erts Greater Focus on Addressing Violence
With Congress poised to reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and consider the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) this year, experts from the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and PATH urged a greater focus on preventing the gender-based violence that can promote the spread of HIV infection. The Capitol Hill briefing also featured Pamela Sibanda Mumbi, Director of the International Justice Mission in Zambia. It was held in conjunction with the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the Global Health Caucus.
Media Advisory: Jan. 22
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta to Engage In High High-Level Proceedings at The World Economic Forum in Davos
Geeta Rao Gupta Gupta, president of ICRW will engage in high-level proceedings at the World Economic Forum in Davos, leading a prestigious panel on strengthening private-public sector partnerships to boost nutritional status and delivery systems in the developing world.
Rao Gupta, a leading expert on women and economic empowerment, will be available for
interviews on the central role that women play in economic development and on leveraging NGO private sector partnerships to solve global challenges and grow economies during the annual meeting, where more than 2,500 world leaders are expected to gather.
Read the media advisory.
Media Advisory: Jan. 22
With Congress Poised to Consider PEPFAR & International Violence Against Women Act, Experts to Discuss Solutions to the Gender-Based Violence That is Helping to Drive the World’s Pandemic of HIV & AIDS
Violence against women and girls is a global crisis that creates profound public health
challenges and contributes significantly to the pandemic of HIV infection. Yet, from Kenya to Hong Kong and Nicaragua to South Africa, there are programs in place that are helping to stop the violence that increases women’s vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. Experts from some of the world’s leading women’s health and violence prevention organizations will discuss some of these highly effective programs, and offer recommendations for how Congress can address the twin pandemics of gender-based violence and HIV infection through reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and passage of the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA). Both are on its agenda this year.
Held in conjunction with the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the Global Health
Caucus, the briefing will be:
Thursday, January 24, 2008
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Rayburn House Office Building, Room #2200
PRESS RELEASES
2007
press release: NOV. 29
Leadership Needed to Eradicate HIV Stigma and Discrimination
On the eve of World AIDS Day 2007, EngenderHealth and ICRW call on governments, donors, international health organizations, and activists everywhere to step up leadership efforts to eradicate HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Greater investment and action are needed by the international community to Keep the Promise and stop AIDS.
press release: NOV. 28
Washington Business Journal Honors ICRW President
Geeta Rao Gupta, president of ICRW, will be awarded the Washington Business Journal’s annual “Women Who Mean Business” award for 2007.
In its fourth year, the award honors the Washington region’s most influential and successful business women, who are trail blazers and accomplished
professionals in their fields. Rao Gupta is an internationally renowned expert on women and HIV, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and the protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights. She has worked at ICRW since 1988 and served as its president for 10 years.
press release: NOV. 28
World Leaders Urged To Focus On Long-Term Social Change in Fight Against AIDS
"Fighting HIV and AIDS requires comprehensive and sustained social change that will get at the heart of the factors that continue to fuel the epidemic," says ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta , a global expert on gender and AIDS in developing countries. "We're making progress, but this is a marathon challenge that will require the world community to sustain its commitment to reducing HIV infections long-term."
Now more than two decades into the epidemic, global health leaders must shift from an emergency medical response to a more sustained commitment to addressing the epidemic's key drivers, including poverty, gender inequality and stigma.
press release: NOV. 12
ICRW Welcomes Two New Program Directors
ICRW welcomes two new team directors, Margaret Greene, director of Population and Social Transitions; and Linda Sussman, director of HIV, AIDS and Development.
press release: oct. 17
World Bank Special Session Addresses Improving Maternal Health to Boost Economic Growth
Session to discuss new ICRW report that recommends investing in maternal health to garner high returns in national economic productivity and lower health care spending
If world governments collectively invested $5 billion in maternal health programs, the returns would yield up to three times as much-or $15 billion in productivity-saving women's lives, boosting national economies and lowering overall health care spending, according to a new report by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) that was funded by Family Care International.
The report, entitled "Women Deliver for Development," will be discussed Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at a special session on maternal health during the World Bank's Annual Meetings in Washington , D.C.
press release: oct. 5
Women Deliver Conference to Feature U.N. Leaders
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta, a leading international expert on gender and development, to participate in high-level engagements on improving women’s health
Geeta Rao Gupta, a leading international expert on gender and development, will join some of the United Nations’ most high-powered leaders in London for the landmark Women Deliver conference in October to further the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of curbing preventable pregnancy-related deaths of mothers and newborns.
Media Advisory: Oct. 2
CARE and ICRW are pleased to announce the publication of a new toolkit for learning and action on gender and sexuality, called the “Inner Spaces Outer Faces (ISOFI) Toolkit.” The toolkit is designed for use by staff of international development and health organizations, and is made up of participatory group activities to help program staff identify, explore and challenge their own understanding of gender and sexuality in their lives, the lives of project participants and within the organizations in which they work.
Read the media advisory.
The toolkit can be downloaded in printable format or navigated in HTML format on CARE’s Web site.
press release: Sept. 19
New Report Offers Recommendations to Improve
PEPFAR's Effectiveness, Make Gender Central to Its Policies and Programs
Report critical of the global AIDS plan ' s legislatively mandated policies that fail to address women's needs and vulnerabilities
A new report released at a high-level roundtable discussion on gender and the reauthorization of the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) offers recommendations to improve PEPFAR's effectiveness, and make gender central to its policies and programs. The event was jointly sponsored by ICRW and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Task Force on HIV/AIDS.
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta and top global health experts addressed the gaps in PEPFAR's current policies and programs and offered policy directives to strengthen the plan's focus on women. Other participants included Dr. Peter Piot, UNAIDS executive director and under secretary-general of the United Nations; Michele Moloney-Kitts, director of programs, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator; Pearl Alice Marsh, senior professional staff member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Janet Fleischman of the CSIS Task Force on HIV/AIDS.
Media Advisory: Sept. 12
African Parliamentarians To Strategize How To Fight AIDS, Improve Women's Health
Leading MPs from East and Southern Africa to engage in high-level briefings in Nairobi to expand women’s access to health care and strengthen national health systems
Parliamentarians in sub-Saharan Africa can be powerful agents for change in the fight against HIV and AIDS and in shaping national health systems to improve women’s and girls’ access to health services. Leading members of parliament (MPs) from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania will gather for a two-day forum in Nairobi, Sept. 11-12, to strategize and offer insights on stepping up efforts to engage MPs in women’s health. The forum will present high-level briefings on HIV stigma, women’s health policy and connecting MPs to the community from select country perspectives.
Mon., June 4
Top Global Health Experts Urge Expansion of Men's Involvement in Programs Fighting AIDS, Promoting Gender Equality
Just prior to the Bush Administration's request for Congress to bolster AIDS funding over five years, top experts from international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and donor agencies pressed for the U.S. and international community to expand the involvement of men and boys in AIDS prevention programs and policies to aggressively curb the rising HIV infection rate worldwide.
"Men have long been portrayed as barriers to women's health and their ability to achieve equality with men," says Margaret Greene, one of the seminar organizers and director of population and social transitions at ICRW.
"But increasingly, the international community recognizes that AIDS programs and health services cannot address AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health problems without acknowledging and addressing the roles and relationships that foster them," Greene adds.
Read the agenda for the conference.
Wed., May 30
Newly Launched Coalition to Advocate for Research on Provider-initiated HIV Testing
Coalition advocates for an evidence-based approach to HIV testing, counseling
With the release of international guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS on provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in health facilities, a new international coalition was launched to advocate for further evidence about its advisability.
Globally, HIV experts have acknowledged a lack of research on the operational effectiveness and health and social outcomes, whether positive or negative, of provider-initiated HIV testing – two key issues related to the approach.
The coalition, Advocacy and Research on HIV Counseling and Testing (ARCAT), recently organized to help fill these research gaps toward building an evidence-based approach for HIV testing. Its research agenda will include assessing the approach’s impact on adolescent psychology and behavior, and the availability of and access to legal services of people being tested. The coalition also will examine whether provider-initiated testing leads to greater access to treatment.
Read more about ARCAT's launch.
Read more about the background of ARCAT.
Wed., May 23
Engaging Men and Boys Can Yield Impressive Results in Fighting AIDS, Promoting Gender Equity
Evidence increasingly shows that actively engaging men and boys in women's reproductive health and anti-AIDS interventions may produce lower HIV infection rates and reduce AIDS stigma and discrimination.
To engage men and boys more fully in the promotion of gender equity and health, ICRW and Brazil-based Promundo will co-host a one-day seminar, "Engaging Men and Boys in HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence: How Can We Build on What We Have Learned?" The seminar will bring together top international experts to review existing evidence on the importance of working with men and boys and to strategize concrete steps on how to expand male engagement in anti-AIDS programs and policies.
Fri., May 18
ICRW Establishes New Regional Office to Expand Asia Work
New office will focus on gender equality and development priorities in region
ICRW has established an Asia regional office in India to expand its work on gender equality, human rights and sustainable development beyond India and South Asia.
The organization's India country office in New Delhi will become the Regional Office for Asia.
"Establishing a regional office will help us to step up our efforts to promote gender equitable development and respond to the pressing challenges facing women, girls and their communities in Asia," says ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta.
Learn more about our Asia regional office.
Thurs., May 17
Child Marriage Rates Rise as Young Girls Approach Adolescence, New Research Finds
Girls' low education, wide spousal age gap and poverty linked to child marriage
International assistance programs to prevent child marriage should target and tailor efforts to young girls approaching the "tipping point" age, around 13 or 14, when child marriage rates in developing countries start to increase markedly, according to a new ICRW study.
The study, New Insights on Preventing Child Marriage: A Global Analysis of Factors and Programs, found that key factors such as girls' education, spousal age gap, and poverty strongly determine whether girls in the developing world will become child brides. Researchers examined various factors associated with child marriage, ranging from education and economic status to age gap, polygyny (a husband with multiple wives) and religion, to determine the possible risk and protective factors of early marriage.
"In our past work on child marriage, we collected anecdotal evidence that child marriage affects younger girls, ages 10 to 13, but until now, we had not fully understood the magnitude of this problem," says Saranga Jain, the study's lead researcher. "In fact, the greatest number of child brides often marries around the age of 13."
July 25, 2007
New Legislation Seeks to Reduce Child Marriage Worldwide
Bill would address child marriage as part of broader development efforts to improve
U.S. development aid effectiveness
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) introduced The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2007. The legislation, H.R. 3175, would help developing countries reduce their child marriage rates by tackling the practice’s root causes and bolstering community-based interventions to empower and offer opportunities to millions of girls at risk worldwide.
"This legislation recognizes that sound investments in child marriage prevention programs and approaches can offer hope and alternatives to girls and their families throughout the developing world," says ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta.
"ICRW commends Rep. McCollum for her leadership to reduce child marriage."
The bipartisan bill would provide U.S. assistance to prevent child marriage in countries with high prevalence rates by integrating prevention programs into existing development and democracy-building programs. Additionally, it would scale up innovative community-based efforts offering viable alternatives to early marriage.
Read more about ICRW's advocacy around child marriage.
Media Advisory: July 24
Women Leaders in the Global AIDS Fight Speak Out
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) Joins Global Advocates to Call for Putting Women, Girls at the Center of Anti-AIDS Efforts
Today HIV infection rates are rising faster among women than men in many regions of the world. More than 17 million women live with HIV worldwide, and three out of four are in sub-Saharan Africa. In the United States, AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women 25 to 34.
Join Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta and others for a July 24 congressional briefing on why involving women and girls is crucial to fighting AIDS.
When:
Tues., July 24
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where:
Cannon HOB, Room 122
Washington, D.C.
Mon., June 4
Top Global Health Experts Urge Expansion of Men's Involvement in Programs Fighting AIDS, Promoting Gender Equality
Just prior to the Bush Administration's request for Congress to bolster AIDS funding over five years, top experts from international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and donor agencies pressed for the U.S. and international community to expand the involvement of men and boys in AIDS prevention programs and policies to aggressively curb the rising HIV infection rate worldwide.
"Men have long been portrayed as barriers to women's health and their ability to achieve equality with men," says Margaret Greene, one of the seminar organizers and director of population and social transitions at ICRW.
"But increasingly, the international community recognizes that AIDS programs and health services cannot address AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health problems without acknowledging and addressing the roles and relationships that foster them," Greene adds.
Read the agenda for the conference.
Wed., May 30
Newly Launched Coalition to Advocate for Research on Provider-initiated HIV Testing
Coalition advocates for an evidence-based approach to HIV testing, counseling
With the release of international guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS on provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in health facilities, a new international coalition was launched to advocate for further evidence about its advisability.
Globally, HIV experts have acknowledged a lack of research on the operational effectiveness and health and social outcomes, whether positive or negative, of provider-initiated HIV testing – two key issues related to the approach.
The coalition, Advocacy and Research on HIV Counseling and Testing (ARCAT), recently organized to help fill these research gaps toward building an evidence-based approach for HIV testing. Its research agenda will include assessing the approach’s impact on adolescent psychology and behavior, and the availability of and access to legal services of people being tested. The coalition also will examine whether provider-initiated testing leads to greater access to treatment.
Read more about ARCAT's launch.
Read more about the background of ARCAT.
Wed., May 23
Engaging Men and Boys Can Yield Impressive Results in Fighting AIDS, Promoting Gender Equity
Evidence increasingly shows that actively engaging men and boys in women's reproductive health and anti-AIDS interventions may produce lower HIV infection rates and reduce AIDS stigma and discrimination.
To engage men and boys more fully in the promotion of gender equity and health, ICRW and Brazil-based Promundo will co-host a one-day seminar, "Engaging Men and Boys in HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence: How Can We Build on What We Have Learned?" The seminar will bring together top international experts to review existing evidence on the importance of working with men and boys and to strategize concrete steps on how to expand male engagement in anti-AIDS programs and policies.
Fri., May 18
ICRW Establishes New Regional Office to Expand Asia Work
New office will focus on gender equality and development priorities in region
ICRW has established an Asia regional office in India to expand its work on gender equality, human rights and sustainable development beyond India and South Asia.
The organization's India country office in New Delhi will become the Regional Office for Asia.
"Establishing a regional office will help us to step up our efforts to promote gender equitable development and respond to the pressing challenges facing women, girls and their communities in Asia," says ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta.
Learn more about our Asia regional office.
Thurs., May 17
Child Marriage Rates Rise as Young Girls Approach Adolescence, New Research Finds
Girls' low education, wide spousal age gap and poverty linked to child marriage
International assistance programs to prevent child marriage should target and tailor efforts to young girls approaching the "tipping point" age, around 13 or 14, when child marriage rates in developing countries start to increase markedly, according to a new ICRW study.
The study, New Insights on Preventing Child Marriage: A Global Analysis of Factors and Programs, found that key factors such as girls' education, spousal age gap, and poverty strongly determine whether girls in the developing world will become child brides. Researchers examined various factors associated with child marriage, ranging from education and economic status to age gap, polygyny (a husband with multiple wives) and religion, to determine the possible risk and protective factors of early marriage.
"In our past work on child marriage, we collected anecdotal evidence that child marriage affects younger girls, ages 10 to 13, but until now, we had not fully understood the magnitude of this problem," says Saranga Jain, the study's lead researcher. "In fact, the greatest number of child brides often marries around the age of 13."
Read a policy brief on how to end child marriage.
Learn more about child marriage.
Wed., March 7
ICRW Calls for an End to Violence Against Women,
More Investments in Adolescent Girls
On the eve of International Women’s Day, ICRW is calling on the United States and world community to act decisively to end violence against women and girls, asserting that the empowerment of women is an effective prevention strategy.
ICRW also is pressing for the United States and world community to invest more in adolescent girls, saying community-based interventions can reduce child marriage and protect girls from poverty and serious health risks.
Oscar-winner Meryl Streep — 2007 Golden Globe winner for best actress in a musical or comedy — and other dignitaries will join this call to action at ICRW's 2007 gala, "Champions for Change," at Union Station in Washington, D.C.
"In too many parts of the world, adolescent girls are robbed of their potential by early marriage, by limited schooling, and poor health care," Streep says. "And when girls fail to thrive, societies fail to thrive."
Click on the links below for more information.
- Gala Press Release
- International Women's Day Press Release
- Program
- Bio of ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta
- Bios of Special Guests, Honorees and Presenters
- About ICRW
Fri., March 2
Panel to Push for Global Action to Combat Child Marriage
Despite nearly universal condemnation, the practice of child marriage is flourishing throughout the developing world. Today 51 million girls worldwide are married, perpetuating an endless cycle of gender inequality, sickness and poverty.
As part of the 51st meeting of the U.N.'s Commission on the Status of Women, a panel discussion, "Too Young to Wed: Ending Child Marriage in Developing Countries," will draw attention to policies and innovative programs tackling the harmful practice. Co-sponsored by ICRW and UNICEF, the March 1 panel will include international nongovernmental organizations and government representatives who will discuss how policy-makers and program planners are acting to reduce child marriage worldwide and the major challenges they face. Click on the links below for more information.
- Press Release
- Bios of ICRW Speakers
- Policy Brief: How to End Child Marriage:
Action Strategies for Prevention and Protection - Advocacy Toolkit: Too Young to Wed:
Education and Action Toward Ending Child Marriage - Research Report: Too Young to Wed:
The Lives, Rights and Health of Young Married Girls
Learn more about ICRW's work on child marriage.
Wed., Feb. 7
ICRW Gala to Honor Global Leaders for Advancing the Health and Economic Progress of Women and Girls
ICRW will host its annual gala, "Champions for Change," to celebrate and salute exemplary leaders and organizations that are working to advance the health, well-being and economic progress of women and girls through their policies, programs and partnerships.
The gala will be held March 7, 6:30 p.m., on the eve of International Women's Day, at Union Station in Washington, D.C. This inspiring event will feature dinner, an "Investing in Women" awards presentation, a live auction and evening dancing.
Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, 2007 Golden Globe winner for best actress in a musical or comedy, will serve as the evening's special guest. Distinguished guests from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, the diplomatic corps, academic and scientific communities, and the media are expected to attend the event.
Click here to read the media advisory.
2006
Tues., Nov. 28
Violence, Gender Inequalities Raise HIV Risk for Women Worldwide
Women worldwide who experience domestic violence and lack power in their sexual relationships face a greater risk of HIV infection, finds new research by ICRW.
"These epidemics are clearly inter-related and demand a coordinated response from the international community,"
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta says.
Click here to read more.
Fri., Sept. 29
Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen to Speak Oct. 11 at ICRW's Annual Irene Tinker Lecture
Sen to Ask What Difference Does Gender Make to International Development
World renowned scholar and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen (left) will speak about gender and the role of women in alleviating poverty and improving poor people's overall health and well-being at the Oct. 11 lecture, "The Gender Perspective: What Difference Does It Make?" co-sponsored by ICRW and the Brookings Institute.
Click here to read the media advisory.
Sept. 28
New Research Shows Quick Results in Fighting Youth's Poor Reproductive Health in India
Many adolescents in India suffer from poor reproductive health and limited access to appropriate health services. New findings from a 10-year research program by ICRW and several India-based partners suggest that one of the best — and fastest — ways to improve adolescents' health is to involve parents, in-laws and the communities where they live.
Six studies looked at several adolescent health issues to assess their effectiveness in improving health outcomes and to consider costing questions such as which interventions are most cost-effective. Health issues ranged from child marriage, and girls’ poor nutrition and rates of iron-deficiency anemia to the prevalence of reproductive tract infections among married and unmarried youth.
• Click here to read the press release.
• Click here to read a fact sheet highlighting results of the study.
• Click here to read the full report (1.2 MB).
sept. 7
New U.N Agency for Women Imminent
The High Level Panel on U.N. System-Wide Coherence will recommend that the United Nations create a new agency for women, Ambassador Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, predicted with confidence at a presentation today in Washington, D.C. The recommendations are expected to be officially released in three months.
Ambassador Lewis spoke at a forum co-sponsored by ICRW and the Center for Global Development (CGD) entitled A New UN Agency for Women: Who Needs It, on Sept. 7, 2006.
Click here to read ICRW's press release.
Aug. 11
AIDS Stigma Threatens Hard-won Progress
ICRW Researchers Present New Evidence at Stigma Symposium, XVI International AIDS Conference
More money than ever is being spent to fight AIDS and expand HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs. But new research from ICRW finds that the fear of AIDS stigma and its consequences — such as the loss of a job or property, threats of violence, abandonment and poor medical care — is limiting the reach and effectiveness of these efforts, threatening hard-won progress against AIDS around the world.
ICRW hosted a symposium Aug. 12, the eve of the XVI International AIDS Conference, to discuss new research about HIV/AIDS-related stigma. ICRW's researchers then participated in the XVI International AIDS Conference — speaking at plenaries, displaying poster presentations and participating in satellite events all week. See links below for more information.
Click here to read ICRW's press release.
Click here for more information on ICRW presentations during the XVI International AIDS Conference
Aug. 2
ICRW, IAS to Recognize Innovation in Women and AIDS Research with
Young Investigator Prize at AIDS Conference
ICRW and the International AIDS Society (IAS), with the support of the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), will honor Penelope Campbell of Jamaica with the Young Investigator Prize: Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS at the XVI International AIDS Conference. The prize recognizes a young woman investigator from a resource-limited setting whose work demonstrates excellence in research and/or practice that addresses women, girls and gender issues related to HIV and AIDS.
Read the press release.
More about ICRW's participation at the XVI International AIDS Conference.
July 13
Durbin, Hagel Introduce Bill to Help End Child Marriage
Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) introduced the International Child Marriage Prevention and Assistance Act today, which calls on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relevant agencies to devise a strategy to fight child marriage as part of broader development efforts, including improving education, health care and governance.
Read the press release.
July 12
Prevalence of Child Marriage Worldwide Hinders Aid Effectiveness
Billions of dollars in U.S. development assistance to reduce poverty, ensure the survival of infants and mothers in pregnancy and childbirth, fight AIDS and invest in girls' education could be used more effectively by also targeting child marriage, according to experts from the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) and the Center for Global Development (CGD).
ICRW and CGD sponsored a discussion on child marriage and its implications for development
as part of ICRW's child marriage speaker tour.
Read the press release.
Read the speaker biographies.
July 11
Addressing Child Marriage Can Improve U.S. Aid Effectiveness
New research and success stories of on-the-ground efforts to reduce child marriage point the way for improving the lives of millions of girls worldwide and strengthening U.S. international efforts to reduce poverty, ensure the survival of infants and mothers in pregnancy and childbirth, fight AIDS and invest in girls' education.
ICRW and the Population Reference Bureau co-sponsored an event to discuss child marriage and ways to improve the effectiveness of U.S. development assistance. Read the press release.
may 16
Parliamentarians for Women’s Health Launches Web Site
Parliamentarians for Women's Health — a groundbreaking initiative in East and southern Africa that works with parliamentarians and communities to improve women's and girls' access to health services — today launched its new Web site, an essential resource for program staff, researchers, donors, students and others working in the field of international development. Read the press release.
May 3
ICRW Releases New How-to Guide on Reducing Violence and AIDS Stigma
Manual Provides Practical Tools for Community Groups in Developing Countries
Stigma and gender-based violence fuel the HIV/AIDS pandemic by limiting access to and use of HIV/AIDS-related services for prevention, treatment, care and support. ICRW's HIV/AIDS Stigma and Violence Reduction Intervention (SVRI) manual provides communities with practical tools they can use to address stigma, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. Read the report and press release.
March 30
Women’s Property Rights at Heart of HIV/AIDS Fight, ICRW Says
Geeta Rao Gupta Speaks at Congressional Human Rights Caucus
U.S. efforts to fight HIV and AIDS around the world are less effective because they fail to address the root causes of women’s vulnerability in this epidemic, says ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta. Read the press release and her remarks.
March 7
ICRW Celebrates International Women's Day, 30 Years of Research with Gala
On March 8, ICRW will commemorate its 30th anniversary with a gala, "Celebrating the Power of Partnerships," featuring a special video message by Oscar- and Golden Globe-winner Geena Davis, the "Investing in Women" awards presentation, a live auction and moonlight dancing.
Press release
Media advisory
Program
Bio of ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta
Bios of special guests, awardees and presenters
About ICRW
Jan. 27
New ICRW Project Explores Gender Mainstreaming
ICRW has launched a new research project funded by the World Bank to review and improve the use of gender mainstreaming in international anti-poverty policies and programs. Read the press release.
2005
Dec. 20
ICRW Hires New Vice President for Finance and Administration
ICRW is pleased to announce that Luis Guardia has joined its staff as vice president of finance and administration, and chief financial officer. Read the press release.
Dec. 1
ICRW Releases Blueprint for Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in Global Institution
ICRW today released the first comprehensive blueprint for how to strengthen civil society’s role in global governance — a crucial step in winning the fight against HIV/AIDS. Read the press release.
Nov. 29
ICRW Names New Board Chair
ICRW has named Jeanne Warner, adjunct professor of finance and commercial banking at St. John’s University in New York City, as its new board chair. Read the press release.
Nov. 8
ICRW Hires New Vice President for External Relations
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) is proud to announce that Leslie Calman has joined its staff as vice president for external relations. Calman will oversee the organization's newly reorganized communications, advocacy and development divisions, guiding its strategic planning in these areas. Read the press release.
Sept. 30
Three New ICRW Briefs Detail How to Support Women’s Key Role in Development
Investing in women in developing countries achieves results. And three new briefs issued by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) detail the types of investments women need, including the social barriers that must be addressed, if poorer communities are to escape poverty. Read the press release.
Sept. 14
Child Marriage Threatens U.S. Development Goals
ICRW co-sponsored a public forum at the U.S. State Department to address the impact of child marriage and offer effective strategies to curb the practice. Read the press release.
Aug. 2
Multi-Pronged Effort to Reduce Hunger Is Needed, Says ICRW
To ratchet up the fight against hunger, agriculture and nutrition communities must work together while also considering the different roles and needs of men and women when it comes to growing food and feeding a family, according to a new report released by the International Center for Research on Women. Read the press release.
June 21
ICRW Joins with African Parliamentarians to Battle HIV/AIDS
The International Center for Research on Women and four key international partners will join forces with African parliamentarians to accelerate efforts to help women fight HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in East and southern Africa. Read the press release.
Wed., March 2
The Women and AIDS U.S. Tour: Empower Women, Save Lives
ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta is joining a dynamic group of international AIDS experts in a five-city tour to educate Americans on the impact of AIDS on women and girls and the solutions that can save lives. Read the press release.
Feb. 28
Global Coalition on Women and AIDS Announces Five-City U.S. Tour, The Women and AIDS U.S. Tour: Empower Women, Save Lives
In response to the growing women and AIDS crisis, the UNAIDS-led Global Coalition on Women and AIDS announced today a five-city tour to educate Americans about the impact of AIDS on women and girls and the solutions that can save lives. Read the press release.
Feb. 25
U.S. Senators to Urge Faster Progress on Girls’ Education in Poor Countries at March 2nd Conference
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) are expected to call for more rapid progress in getting all girls in the world enrolled in school, speaking at an event highlighting the failure of the international community to achieve gender equality in global school enrollments by the 2005 Millennium Development Goal target. Read the press release.
2004
Dec. 1
Leading AIDS Experts Call for Expansion of Prevention Strategies to Respond to Real Life of Women and Girls
With the rates of women and girls living with HIV steadily increasing worldwide, global health, development and corporate leaders urged policymakers and program administrators to turn the tide against global AIDS by moving beyond the current prevention approaches, and ensuring that women's access to health care and support services is increased. Read the press release.
Oct. 3
Child Marriage Thrives in Developing World, Increasing Health Risks for Married Girls, Report Says
Despite international agreements and national laws to end the practice of marrying girls younger than 18, child marriage thrives throughout the developing world, posing serious health risks to tens of millions of young girls, including a greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Read the press release.
May 26
Legislators Pledge Support for Curbing Child Marriage in the Developing World
U.S. lawmakers pledged support for legislative measures to reduce child marriage in developing countries at the May 19 launch of a photo essay exhibit featuring stories of girls and women who married as children. Read the press release.
May 19
ICRW Launches Child Marriage Photo Essay
U.S. lawmakers and leading international health and research experts will speak on the dangers of child marriage in developing countries and will offer policy recommendations for ending the practice. Read the press release.
2003
Nov. 24
Stigma and Discrimination Thwart AIDS Prevention and Care in Africa, Report Says
Stigma and discrimination continue to impede testing, prevention and treatment for countless people living with HIV in Africa, despite investments by governments in these interventions, according to a groundbreaking report from the International Center for Research on Women. Read the press release.