There are many complexities in developing MPTs that will be safe, effective, affordable, and used by women. One key aspect of this process is to study the desirability and acceptability of an MPT candidate during its development so that, when it reaches the market, women will actually use it.

We join the world in celebrating International Women’s Day by calling out all MPT champions who work to provide women everywhere with more product choices designed to simultaneously prevent HIV, STIs, and/or pregnancy so women can manage their reproductive health and futures. We choose to challenge barriers to safe, effective, and affordable reproductive health access and care so that women can be empowered to live their lives freely—regardless of their stage of life, lifestyle, or socioeconomic standing.

This past year has been an exceptionally challenging one, with the devastating coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and other global crises affecting populations around the world. While recognizing the tremendous loss and setbacks that these crises have caused, here at the Initiative for Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (IMPT) we have also been deeply inspired by humanity’s resilience, solidarity, and drive to pursue innovative solutions and call for equity and justice to uphold the human right to health and safety.