For years now, the HIV/AIDS advocacy community has been aware that the “abstinence-only” funding earmark in PEPFAR is hindering HIV prevention work on the ground. A few months ago, the GAO confirmed those concerns with an extensive report. Now, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have introduced legislation – the HIV Prevention for Youth Act – that would clarify the stipulations of the funding in order to help service providers succeed in their communities.

The problems with the earmark stem from its narrow and prescriptive language and funding guidelines. Currently, the guidelines pay little attention to local needs and require that groups on the ground spend specific amount of money on abstinence education. By requiring this of providers, more pressing needs that may face an area like mother-to-child transmission or infections within marriages cannot be adequately addressed. For instance, consider that recent trends have revealed that married women in some areas are increasingly susceptible to HIV infection than single women, because of their husbands’ behaviors. Abstinence education is entirely irrelevant for them. If PEPFAR is to succeed, it needs to be flexible enough to meet whatever needs arise, which in this case would mean funding the “Be Faithful” part of the ABC prevention strategy instead of abstinence.

Additionally, the overemphasis on abstinence-only education has confused PEPFAR partners who are afraid to carry out permitted prevention programs for fear of losing funding. ABC is the official policy, which means that the “C” – condoms – are still an approved component of prevention work among high-risk populations. But some condom distributors told the GAO auditors they are afraid of being censored for contradicting the abstinence requirements.

This new legislation from Senators Feinstein and Snowe would provide workers in the field with needed clarity on the requirements. It would relax PEPFAR guidelines to allow for culturally and locally appropriate prevention programs, even while preserving the emphasis on abstinence.

Keep an eye out for ways to support this needed legislation as it progresses. To find out more about the HIV Prevention for Youth Act, visit our Policy Watch profile.