Updated: Mon Aug. 14 2006 12:33:09 PM

CTV.ca News Staff

Empowering the world's most oppressed women is the key to stemming the HIV/AIDS pandemic, philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates told the opening of the 16th International AIDS Conference.

"No matter who she is or what she does, a woman should never need her partner's permission to save her own life," Gates said in Toronto Sunday.

"Being faithful will not protect a woman whose partner is not faithful. We need to put the power to prevent HIV into the hands of women."

The Microsoft founder also urged scientists to accelerate the development of microbicides and drugs that help protect women from HIV.

"We have to do a much better job of prevention," said Gates, whose foundation recently donated $500 million US to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

"We could revolutionize the fight against AIDS."

Melinda Gates echoed her husband's comments and in a clear swipe at leaders who preach abstinence over condom use, she said: "If you oppose the distribution of condoms, something is more important to you than saving lives.

"Withholding condoms does not mean fewer people have sex. It means fewer people have safe sex and more people die," she said to rapturous applause from thousands of delegates.

"Saving lives is the highest ethical act."

Harper slammed

Conference co-chair Dr. Mark Wainberg also drew a standing ovation when he slammed Prime Minister Stephen Harper for refusing to attend the conference, which has drawn 24,000 delegates from around the globe.

As people crowded the front of the stage, carrying signs that read "Sleep in Steve? HIV Never Sleeps," Wainberg said Harper had "made a mistake that puts you on the wrong side of history."

The director of McGill University's AIDS Centre said "the role of the prime minister includes the responsibility to show leadership on the world stage. Your absence sends a message that you do not regard HIV/AIDS as a critical priority."

Actor Richard Gere, whose charitable foundation includes support for HIV/AIDS, also took at shot at Harper.

He recalled that during the early years of the epidemic it took former U.S. president Ronald Reagan eight years to bring himself to say the word "AIDS."

Gere said in the waning years of his life, Reagan regretted his silence on the issue and was "deeply" apologetic.

"I think you have a prime minister who's going to be deeply apologetic," he said to enthusiastic applause.

Rally in Toronto

Meanwhile, as the conference continued Monday, hundreds marched down the streets of Toronto to demand urgent action for women and girls in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

The rally, which featured speakers such as Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and Louise Binder, of Blueprint for Action on Women and Girls, was followed by a march to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre -- the site of the conference.

The group supported a call for immediate, universal and equitable access to all prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment, support and research for women and girls around the world.

"Violence against women and girls, poverty, lack of education and housing, and lack of property rights, all fuel HIV/AIDS infection rates among women and girls," said Binder.

As well as the estimated 24,000 delegates, the conference has attracted some 3,000 journalists for the biggest gathering in the now-biennial meeting's 21-year history.

Joining Gates and Gere at the conference will be former U.S. president Bill Clinton, the crown prince and princess of Norway, UN AIDS for Africa envoy Stephen Lewis, and actors Sandra Oh and Olympia Dukakis.

During her opening speech Sunday, Haiti native Governor General Michaelle Jean recalled the stigma around HIV/AIDS to which people of her homeland were subjected and said it was time to change attitudes about the disease.
 
"AIDS knows no boundaries, nor has it any regard for our prejudices or the ways in which we ostracize and abandon one another," Jean said.

"Is that not reason enough to put those prejudices to rest and come together to fight this universal threat?"

Sunday's opening speeches were followed by a concert featuring Alicia Keys, Barenaked Ladies, the Blue Man Group, Our Lady Peace, Amanda Marshall and Chantal Kreviazuk.

Conference workshops and plenary sessions officially begin Monday, and will deal with a wide range of issues -- from scientific research to caring for those with HIV/AIDS to preventing the spread of the virus, which has killed 25 million people in the last 25 years and infected about 40 million worldwide.