In hopes of increasing awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the development of microbicides ?” various products that have the ability to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections ?” Sacramento State is hosting “Giving Women Power Over AIDS,” on Feb. 13 and 14 in the University Union Redwood Room.

The event will feature “In Her Mother’s Shoes,” a photo essay exhibit by writer Paula Bock and photographer Betty Udesen of The Seattle Times. The two visited Zimbabwe in 2003, said Patricia Grady, coordinator of Sacramento State Women’s Resource Center.

The event ?” sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center, the Government Department and other organizations ?” focuses on an AIDS orphan from sub-Saharan Africa.

Patrick Cannon, assistant professor in the government department, said the exhibit puts a human face on those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. “Through a photo essay, the exhibit portrays the tragedy, the struggle and the dignity of an 11-year-old AIDS orphan in Harare, Zimbabwe,” Cannon said.

Today, the number of HIV/AIDS victims in sub-Saharan Africa has reached 26 million, with 2.5 million of that population dying each year from the disease, Cannon said.According to a United Nations report, the disease infected 3 million individuals of that region in 2004 alone. Cannon said the number of adults dying in sub-Saharan Africa results in 12 million children becoming AIDS orphans.

Graduating senior Kyle Lane said the population of HIV/AIDS victims in developing countries is disturbing.

“It’s really tragic because a lot of it is children (born with the disease) who are helpless,” Lane said.

Lane, an interior design major, said the people suffering from diseases, especially those suffering from HIV and AIDS, in developing countries are often forgotten and do not have as many resources, or power, as those in the United States. “We have it really easy here. We tend to forget that,” she said.

The pandemic is being acknowledged on an international level and its affect on world stability is being considered by the United Nations

“The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1308, passed in July 2000, warns that if the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues unchecked, it could threaten world stability and security, the first time it has ever issued a resolution on a nonmilitary issue,” Cannon said.

The event will also highlight the importance of the development of microbicides ?” explaining what they are and what people can do to prevent the spread of HIV, as well other sexually transmitted infections, Grady said.

According to the Global Campaign for Microbicides Web site, microbicides refers to a range of different products that have the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of infections, such as HIV, and come in various topical forms such as gels, creams, suppositories, films and sponges or rings that release the active ingredient over time.

Currently, scientists are testing many of these substances to see whether they provide protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, the Web site explains. No form of microbicides is currently available to the public.

Senior Robert Alas said he knew about the development of microbicides and believes it is a good thing.

“The development of microbicides is wonderful ?” any development focusing on eliminating the possibility of being infected by STIs or HIV is terrific,” Alas said.

But Alas is concerned with how the research is being conducted and how a woman’s body ?” which he described as complex ?” will compensate with the side effects of the product. He also asks whether the Food and Drug Administration will see its development through to the end.

“Will this development be like other drugs where the FDA drops the ball and does not take responsibility for considering the serious side effects?” Alas asked. “At times it seems that the FDA only focuses on the potential of revenue.”

According to the Web site, microbicides must pass through a series of tests before its approval and availability to the public. In the laboratory, researchers will test to see if the compound fights HIV and infectious pathogens in test tubes. If these experiments are found effective against pathogens, and safe for animals, clinical (human) trials begin, the site explained.

The development of microbicides and its availability to the public may greatly affect the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“According to a recent study conducted by the Rockefeller Foundation, a 60 percent efficacious microbicide could avert over 2.5 million cases of HIV in women over three years,” Cannon said.

In sub-Saharan Africa, women account for 60 percent of the AIDS population and are twice as likely to contract HIV, Grady said.

“In the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and other developing countries, women have little control over relationships, sex, or the use of condoms, and have no way to protect themselves from HIV,” Grady said.

The development of microbicides can give women more power to protect themselves, Cannon said. “Throughout the world, and especially in developing countries, women lack the power to negotiate safe sex,” he said.

Both Grady and Cannon said raising awareness of the pandemic and educating individuals about microbicides through this event and the exhibit may increase the funding for the research and development of microbicides.

Grady said it is important to educate people about the potential of microbicides to encourage a broad base international government support of the research and development, and lead to the distribution of the products.

“It (the exhibit) intends to mobilize the Sacramento community to put funding for continued research and development, clinical test trials and distribution of microbicides on the local, state and national political agendas,” Cannon said.

So far, the funding for the development of microbicides comes from nonprofit institutes, academic scientists and biotech companies, according to the Web site. Pharmaceutical companies are hesitant to get involved because of the concerns over scientific and regulatory uncertainty, and because it is “not in their economic self-interest to do so,” according to the Web site.

For more information about the event, call the Women’s Resource Center at 278-7388. For more information on microbicides visit www.global-campaign.org, www.cami-health.com, and www.mas-health.org.

Nika Megino can be reached at [email protected]