Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are addressing (1) the impact of HIV/AIDS on women in developing countries; and (2) barriers to women accessing safe sexual choices and healthcare.

Women and girls' empowerment lies at the heart of the UK Government's development agenda. Our approach to addressing the impact of HIV on women and girls and the barriers to accessing information on sexual and reproductive healthcare is set out in the UK Government's 2011 HIV Position Paper and the recent review, “Towards Zero Infections-Two Years On”published in November 2013. For example, we are supporting the generation of new evidence to improve outcomes for women and girls, including supporting the development of female initiated HIV prevention technologies, research into how gender inequality drives epidemics and a particular focus on improving what works for adolescent girls in Southern Africa in accessing reproductive health needs.