"Women and men: United to end violence against women" is the theme of this year’s International Women's Day which is observed at the United Nations on 5 March 2009 and celebrated internationally on 8 March.

Gender equality must become part of our DNA – at the core of all of our actions. This will require a social revolution. Addressing gender inequality as a human right and development imperative constitutes a main plank of this social revolution.

On February 25-26 an all-Russia Consultation on Universal Access to HIV Prevention in the Russian Federation. Progress, Gaps and Next Steps was held in Moscow. It was organized by the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being, Federal AIDS Centre and UNAIDS.