As World AIDS Day approaches, Kenya is intensifying efforts to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly among women who make up the majority of cases. According to the Ministry of Health, 880,000 women are among the 1,377,784 Kenyans living with HIV.
For a 50-year-old sex worker in Dandora, Nairobi, the fight against HIV is personal. A single mother of four, she turned to sex work due to financial hardships and has relied on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) pills to protect herself. Now, she is part of a pilot study testing the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DPV-VR), recently approved by Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
“I have had partners who I did not trust, and they provided my daily bread for my children to eat,” she says. “I met a friend who told me about vaginal rings and where I could get them.”
Unlike oral PrEP, which can cause side effects and challenges with privacy, the vaginal ring is discreet and releases the anti-HIV drug dapivirine over one month. Approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021 for women at substantial risk of HIV, the ring was endorsed by the Kenyan government in 2022, with the pilot study commencing in mid-2023.
The ring is expected to be rolled out nationwide in 2025 at no cost, offering a new layer of protection for women who often face challenges negotiating safe sex practices.
“Most prefer vaginal rings because oral PrEP has side effects and requires daily commitment,” says Jennifer Gacheru, a clinical officer at the Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Programme (BHESP), which supports sex workers.
The ring, however, only prevents HIV transmission during vaginal intercourse and does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“The ring is one of the options for HIV prevention, and we highly recommend using condoms alongside it to prevent STIs and pregnancy,” explains Jonah Onentiah, leader of the HIV Prevention Team at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP).
Despite its limitations, the ring’s effectiveness is evident, with its success rate improving from 27% to 75% with consistent use.
For many women, the discreet nature of the ring is transformative.
“I prefer the ring because it is hidden, I am the only one who knows I have it, and I can’t forget to use it,” says another Nairobi-based sex worker.
In 2023, Kenya recorded 9,100 new HIV infections among women, more than double the number among men.
Globally, women and girls account for 44% of new infections, according to UNAIDS, underlining the urgency for innovative solutions like the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring.
With the 2025 rollout, Kenyan women hope this tool will bring them closer to a future free from the threat of HIV.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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