In Africa, 55 percent of those infected with AIDS are women compared to less than 50 percent last year. There are eight times more girls between the ages of 15-19 with AIDS than there are boys. Pregnant women risk passing on the virus to their unborn children. And women invariably bear the brunt of caring for the rising numbers of those terminally ill with the dreaded disease. Resources diverted to meet the medical expenses incurred are resources diverted away from development.

Uganda should serve as a guiding light. When Ugandans realised AIDS was threatening to kill every one, the government and its people were up in arms against it. The campaign on awareness and prevention was intensive as young people were incorporated in the distribution of condoms. This effort has been rewarded. AIDS cases are declining in Uganda while other countries are on an upward trend.

Those who were in Beijing four years ago can remember the muted talk about AIDS. It is good to note that at this conference, people are openly talking about AIDS and the destruction it is causing in their countries. Conference organisers have added to the awareness campaign by providing condoms in the Conference Centre washrooms.

Women are acutely aware of what happens when so-called private matters are hidden from the public domain. They implode and women are the losers. AIDS is no longer a matter we can hide or shy away from. If we do, we will have only ourselves to blame.