1. HIV/Aids prevention in a women´s prison in the state of Ceará, Brazil C.S. Turco, E. Rocha, N. Costa BEMFAM Bem Estar Familiar no Brasil www.bemfam.org.br

2. HIV/Aids prevention in a women´s prison in the state of Ceará, Brazil Issues: Although the Brazilian program to fight AIDS is quite effective, some groups are still highly vulnerable to the infection. Imprisoned women gather some characteristics that increase their exposure to risk of infection and hamper their access to treatment.

3. HIV/Aids prevention in a women´s prison in the state of Ceará, Brazil Description of the Project: Developed in one female prison, in the state of Ceará, from April/2006 until June/2007. Financed by the Department of Health of Ceará State and supported by the Justice Department of Ceará State and the Women´s Rights Council of Ceará State. Description of the Activities: Seminar to 57 professionals, representing organizations involved in the project; 15 imprisoned women trained as peer educators; 51 prison professionals (health sector and others) trained on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and on sexual rights and diversity; Educational material produced based on the peer educators discussions.

4. HIV/Aids prevention in a women´s prison in the state of Ceará, Brazil Lessons learned: HIV/AIDS prevention can not be discussed among female prisoners as a theme in itself. They had doubts related to human physiology, sexuality and gender-based violence. It was necessary to reinforce issues related to human rights and the right to health care. Flexibility in the schedule and themes discussed was a key element It was possible to strengthen the role of the health service. Peer educators improved their self-esteem and started to write about their experience to their families and friends outside prison. Next steps: To evaluate the educational material developed with other groups of imprisoned women; To introduce issues related to HIV/Aids/TB co-infection; To involve prisoners families in some of the projects activities; To create strategies to increase access to male and female condoms in prisons.