Will the New HIV Prevention Gel Revolutionize Sex Trafficking?

Sex trafficking victims are at increased risk for contracting HIV and other STDs because many of them can't insist on safer sex practices, like condoms. But their risk may be changing drastically thanks to a new vaginal gel developed by Gilead Sciences which may prevent transmission of HIV to women. If preliminary test results are accurate, trafficked women and girls may now be able to protect themselves against HIV infection without their partners ever knowing. If, of course, trafficked women can get a hold of it.

The gel, which was developed by a team of South African researchers, reduced HIV infections in women by 54% in a recent trial. Women in the trial experienced 39% fewer HIV infections using Gilead's gel than those who used a placebo gel, and 54% of women who used the gel at least 80% of the time saw a reduction. Even the women who used the gel the least saw a 28% reduction. And as the folks over at the Global Poverty blog point out, the gel has an added benefit of reducing the risk of contracting genital herpes by 51%. While the gel doesn't seem to be a 100% effective prevention method, a 51% reduction in the transmission of HIV would be a huge blow to the AIDS epidemic.

The new gel would be especially revolutionary for sex trafficking victims, many of whom are not able to insist on condoms. Sex trafficking victims, by definition, lack a certain amount of control over their circumstances. While some men who buy sex with trafficked women may choose to wear a condom, others may not. And as there is often an increased fee associated with sex without a condom, pimps and traffickers have a financial incentive to prevent victims from using condoms. The lack of ability to insist on condoms is one of the major reasons trafficked girls and women are at higher risk for HIV infection. The gel, on the other hand, which is clear and apparently undetectable by a partner, can be used without the pimp or buyer's knowledge or consent.

Of course, the major challenge is getting trafficked women and girls access to the gel. There seems to be no word yet as to how expensive it will be or exactly how much of it will be given away to poor countries (Gilead has indicated at least some will be). But in addition to getting the gel into the hands of trafficked people, they have to learn how to use it. And that will mean a huge financial investment from countries who don't seem to have much interest in ending sex trafficking or protecting women from HIV.

Even the researchers who developed the gel agree there need to be a few more trials before it is ready to be shipped out to market. But if, and hopefully when it is, we need to ensure trafficked women and girls in the sex industry have access to this life-saving tool.

Photo credit: Siegne Diagne