Microbicides: Nice Idea, but What are We Doing for women?
The broad argument made in global and local discourse about microbicides centers around the concept of "female control" over HIV prevention via virginal inserted microbicides. This argument positions women as subordinate to men in sexual choice-making and in decision making about HIV prevention during sex- particularly a lack of control over choosing to use a male condom.
Whilst the argument of gender power imbalances maybe supported through research, it does not allow that the factor inherent in female disempowerment over sexual choice-making and HIV prevention are readily addressed by microbicides technology.