Access to antiretroviral treatment has increased dramatically in recent years. The number of people worldwide receiving treatment rose three-fold between 2003 and 2005, from 400,000 to more than 1.3 million people. But HIV treatment for men, women, and children continues to fall well short of the growing need.

Overall, women seem to be accessing antiretroviral therapy equally with men. In some countries, however, there is evidence that gender-based violence, denial, and fear of disclosure to partners deter women from accessing or adhering to treatment.

Affordability is a major hurdle. Even low user fees can impose significant financial burdens and undermine adherence. When treatment is free, the number of women (especially younger women) accessing antiretroviral therapy tends to rise significantly.

Countries that have introduced the full range of services for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV have virtually eliminated this mode of transmission. Most are high-income countries, but Brazil and Cuba have both introduced successful programmes.  In general, programmes for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV are still not reaching enough women: in 2005, less that one in ten pregnant women living with HIV in low and middle income countries received antiviral prophylaxis.
At the September 2005 World Summit, global leaders committed to a massive scaling up of HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all how need it.

Subsequent consultations in more than 100 countries worldwide have come up with a number of recommendations. Key needs include expanding the coverage of services and tackling barriers (such as cost, stigma, and discrimination) that inhibit women from using services – even when they are available.