Funding Freeze Threatens Women's HIV Services Amid National Gains

Ethiopia's impressive strides toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets—90% awareness, 94% on treatment, and 96% viral suppression—are at risk due to a U.S. foreign assistance pause announced in early 2025, impacting 53% of HIV funding via PEPFAR. NNPWE highlights the crisis's disproportionate effect on women, with disrupted access to antiretroviral therapy, PrEP, and gender-based violence support in regions like Addis Ababa and Oromia. "This uncertainty endangers hard-won gains for positive women," said an NNPWE advocate. The Ministry of Health is stepping in to bridge gaps, but urgent resource mobilization is needed to protect vulnerable communities.