Main content

The ring that could help save women’s lives

Has a tiny silicon ring to protect women from HIV infection worked as a solution?

Thousands of women are infected with HIV every week in Africa. Many can't persuade their partners to wear a condom, so it was hoped that a new form of protection could be a real game-changer.

It's a small silicon ring which encircles the cervix and releases antiretroviral drugs, lowering the women’s risk of contracting HIV. Their partners aren't supposed to feel it, and so shouldn't even need to know it’s there.

People Fixing the World first reported on the HIV ring five years ago. We find out what’s happened since.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporters: Ruth Evans and Rosie Blunt
Series producer: Tom Colls
Sound mix: Annie Gardiner
Editor: Penny Murphy

Email: peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk
Image: Agnes holds up a dapivirine ring

Release date:

Available now

24 minutes

People fixing the world on YouTube

Watch stories of people changing their world on the World Service English YouTube channel

Podcast