Cardinal's Statement "Could Contribute to Spread of HIV/AIDS," Warns UNFPA Leader

UNITED NATIONS, New York — UNFPA deplores the recently broadcast statement by the President of the Pontifical Council on the Family, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, that condoms do not protect against transmission of HIV. "This position is not scientifically accurate, and could contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS," said Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

"The fact is that when condoms are properly used, in conjunction with programmes encouraging abstinence and fidelity to one partner, they provide effective protection against HIV/AIDS transmission," said Ms. Obaid. "This position is shared by our partners and the international community. It is endorsed by international meetings, including the recent Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on HIV/AIDS."

UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, says that an estimated 42 million people were living with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, at the end of 2002. The AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million lives in 2002, and an estimated 5 million people acquired the virus.

According to UNAIDS, "Wherever the epidemic has spread unchecked, it is robbing countries of the resources and capacities on which human security and development depend. In some regions, HIV/AIDS, in combination with other crises, is driving ever-larger parts of nations towards destitution."

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UNFPA is the world's largest multilateral source of population assistance. Since it became operational in 1969, it has provided about $6 billion to developing countries to meet reproductive health needs and support development efforts.

Contact Information:

Ann Erb Leoncavallo
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5023
Email: leoncavallo@unfpa.org