Caritas urges focus on care for women, girls in fight against AIDS

Published: 2004-12-01

ROME (CNS) -- Catholic relief, development and social service organizations should increase their efforts to help women and girls affected by the AIDS pandemic, said Caritas Internationalis. The aid confederation said its member organizations should promote programs that "give careful attention to the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and that mobilize effective action in response to those tragic circumstances." Caritas said in a statement released in advance of the Dec. 1 World AIDS Day that societal conditions have created a climate that leaves women and girls vulnerable to contracting AIDS. "Women and girls are confronted almost daily with their relative lack of control over personal health, well-being and sexual activity, even within the context of marriage," the statement said.

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