Unprotected anal intercourse (AI) plays an important role in African HIV epidemics. Until recently, rectal microbicides (RMs) have not been part of the broader HIV prevention agenda in Africa, due in part to the denial that AI takes place among heterosexual men and women and to the pervasive homophobia that has criminalized and/or negated the existence of gay men and other men who have sex with men. IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates) launched Project ARM—Africa for Rectal Micro-bicides to ensure Africa is on the world´s RM research and advocacy agenda. On Monday, July 23, IRMA's Project ARM initiative presented this poster at AIDS 2012 - highlighting strategies to ensure Africa is on the rectal microbicide research and advocacy map. For more information on Project ARM, visit http://irma-rectalmicrobicides.blogspot.com/p/project-arm-africa-for-rectal.html

1. AFRICA
NEEDS RECTAL
MICROBICIDES TOO
STRATEGIES TO ENSURE AFRICA
IS ON THE RECTAL MICROBICIDE
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY MAP
AFRICAN LED, AFRICAN INSPIRED—AFRICA FOR RECTAL MICROBICIDES
BACKGROUND:
Unprotected anal intercourse (AI) plays an important role in African HIV
epidemics. Until recently, rectal microbicides (RMs) have not been part of
the broader HIV prevention agenda in Africa, due in part to the denial that
AI takes place among heterosexual men and women and to the pervasive
homophobia that has criminalized and/or negated the existence of gay
men and other men who have sex with men. IRMA (International Rectal
Our diverse sexualities in Africa shouldn’t Microbicide Advocates) launched Project ARM—Africa for Rectal Micro-
be defined only by the prevention tools we
have available. HIV prevention tools must
bicides to ensure Africa is on the world´s RM research and advocacy agenda.
be adapted to our sexualities.
Alliance Nikuze, Rwanda
METHODS:
In December 2011, 40 individuals from 10 African and 3 non-African
The tag line for GLAM sums it up. Whenever
countries participated in a two-day strategy meeting, held in Addis Ababa,
someone says “condoms,” we say “And Lube.”
You cannot say one without the other. Access Ethiopia. Participants shared and considered diverse African perspectives,
to condom-compatible lubricant is deplorable developing priority actions for RM research and advocacy grounded and
all across Africa—it’s unacceptable, and we
are working to change that. sustained in African countries.
Tian Johnson, South Africa
RESULTS:
Africans need rectal microbicides and they “On The Map: Ensuring Africa’s Place in Rectal Microbicide Research
need to be part of the advocacy, research
and development processes that are essential
and Advocacy,” published in April 2012, defines seven RM research and
to creating products that are not only safe advocacy priority actions specific to Africa. Top among these priorities are:
and effective but acceptable and accessible
• The GLAM campaign (Global Lube Access Mobilisation) to increase
too. As co-principal investigator of the
Microbicide Trials Network, I pledge our access to condom-compatible lubricants for Africans who engage in AI;
full support for the efforts of Project ARM.
• Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours Surveys documenting AI
Ian McGowan, United States
practices and perspectives; and
• The development of educational tools on anal sex/anal health.
In Zimbabwe and across Africa, we are
struggling to get people living with HIV
into care and treatment. We have to do much JOIN PROJECT ARM:
better, and we have to do much better on the
prevention side. I see a rectal microbicide as Since the “On The Map” strategy document was released, IRMA has been
an important prevention strategy for Africa reaching out to individuals and organizations to join Project ARM efforts.
to embrace.
Martha Tholanah, Zimbabwe
All interested Africans and allies are invited to help ensure Africa is on the
RM map. If interested, visit IRMA at www.rectalmicrobicides.org and send
an email to rectalmicro@gmail.com.
We can’t forget about the issue of human
rights and criminalisation. If a gay man is
not safe to be himself in any African country,
he won’t be able to gain access to rectal
microbicides once they are available. A
rectal microbicide will get dusty on the
shelf if people are afraid for their lives.
Gift Trapence, Malawi
Authors: J. Pickett 1, 2, M.-A. LeBlanc 2, K. Audu 2, 3, C. Feuer 4, T. Johnson 5, B. Kanyemba 6, T. Muyunga 7, M. Ukpong 8
Read more about GLAM and the other
Institution(s): 1 AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago, United States, 2 International Rectal Microbicide Advocates, Chicago, United States, priority actions in the report here:
www.rectalmicrobicides.org/ProjectARMreport2012.pdf.
3 International Center for Advocacy on Right to Health, Lagos, Nigeria, 4 AVAC—Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, New York City, United
States, 5 The African Alliance for HIV Prevention, Johannesburg, South Africa, 6 Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa,
7 Most At Risk Populations’ Society in Uganda, Kampala, Uganda, 8 New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, Lagos, Nigeria