In an effort to inspire action, encourage meaningful dialogue, and increase public awareness about the unique challenges facing women and girls in a world with AIDS, the UNAIDS-led Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (GCWA) has announced the kickoff of its 2006 four- city Empower Women: Fight AIDS U.S. Tour. In Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis and Washington, DC members of the tour will engage leaders and advocates in the political, business, NGO, religious, academic and women’s communities to discuss how real progress can be made to prevent the spread of HIV among women and girls and to provide women and girls with essential treatment, care, and support services.