Why Are We Still Funding Abstinence-Only Programming?

Posted on July 23, 2010  |  Related Issues: Abstinence & Fidelity, Comprehensive Prevention Strategy

RH Reality Check, July 23, 2010 -- It seems you can’t keep a bad idea down. Even though the Obama administration has pledged that science will finally trump ideology when it comes to global AIDS prevention, we recently learned that U.S. funding for failed prevention programs is continuing. 

Obama’s commitment to evidence seemed particularly promising in eliminating the programs that promote only the “Abstain and Be faithful” messages (dubbed “AB programs”) without giving any information about female and male condoms. But just two months ago, the U.S. government called for proposals to implement AB-only programs in Nigeria for youth and couples. 

Get ready for the very ironic title of the government’s request: “Providing Quality Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the request in May.

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