Helene D. Gayle Testifies Before Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 6, 2006) - Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, testified before the House Committee on Government Reform today during a subcommittee hearing on the effectiveness of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Dr. Gayle reaffirmed the value of PEPFAR's resources and leadership in the fight against AIDS, but raised several key issues based on CARE's experience implementing PEPFAR-funded programs.

These issues included:

• Developing a more balanced and flexible approach to HIV prevention policy;
  
  
• Giving higher priority in U.S. prevention efforts to activities that reduce gender inequality and the acute vulnerabilities of young women and girls;
  
  
• Intensifying the PEPFAR focus on populations at greatest risk, such as sexually active youth, sex workers and injecting drug users;
  
  
• Leveraging other development programs that strengthen the position of women and girls and reduce their vulnerability;
  
  
• Strengthening PEPFAR's measurement framework and timelines.

Click here to download the full text of Helene D. Gayle's testimony.

CARE fights poverty in more than 70 countries. The organization's first HIV and AIDS program began in 1987. CARE now has more than 150 programs in approximately 40 countries that address the causes and consequences of HIV and AIDS. These programs reach over seven million people. The CARE delegation at the conference includes nearly 70 staff from Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States with expertise in HIV and AIDS.

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The current abstinence-only requirement stands in the way of a fully effective response to the AIDS pandemic. Urge Congress to strengthen HIV prevention efforts by removing arbitrary restrictions in how U.S. funds are spent.