AIDS is not arrested by any means. In many countries it’s spreading without restraint where the poor have sex without protection and women are regularly raped. A first iteration has just been developed of a “molecular condom.” It’s a liquid designed to used daily by a woman and will turn itself on whenever sperm is introduced into her cervix and deliver a dose of anti-HIV drugs–a “microbicide.”

This research will lead the way towards empowering women to take responsibility for preventing harm and unwanted pregnancies for themselves. It’s not there yet, unfortunately. They’re talking 10 years before a usable version comes out. But research is at least looking in the right directions. Now all we have to do is keep finding the money to support these kinds of initiatives–and start educating more men to take responsibility, too.