XVI International AIDS Conference

With over 400 sessions, meetings and workshops from which to choose, the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto was an opportunity to explore the latest developments in HIV science, policy and practice.

The conference theme for AIDS 2006 was ’Time to Deliver’ and it sought to expand public awareness of the continued impact of and global response to HIV/AIDS and highlight recent successes, as well as current challenges, and the potential to overcome them.

The significance of the growing role of women and girls in the battle against AIDS and HIV was also recognised at the XVI International AIDS Conference.

Alphonsine Kabagabo, WAGGGS’ Regional Director, Africa Region, was one of more than 20,000 delegates from all around the world that attended the conference, including former Irish president Mary Robinson and ex-US president, Bill Clinton, HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Microsoft’s Bill and Melinda Gates and actor Richard Gere.

Conference sessions explored topics such as the empowerment of women and girls, Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for pregnant women, sex work, domestic violence and cultural influences.