End Violence against Women and Prevent HIV and AIDS Program

Globally, violence against women is both a cause and a consequence of HIV/AIDS: women facing violence within intimate relationships often cannot negotiate safer sex practices, such as condom use. Rape and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation also spread the virus. In addition to untenable levels of stigma and discrimination from the community, women who test positive for HIV are often subjected to physical abuse from partners and can face eviction from their homes. Further, as a result of such stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, they are prevented from obtaining life-saving medical care and treatment. Johnson & Johnson partners with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) to award grants to community-based organizations. These organizations implement prevention programs addressing the link between gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. They pursue innovative strategies to raise awareness, uphold laws, provide medical assistance, train service providers and reduce stigma and discrimination to empower women.