Mother to child transmission is one of the chief ways to spread AIDS, however, women, especially in the underdeveloped countries, are not given enough attention in this respect.

    Among 34 million adults currently infected with the AIDS virus, over half of them, or 17.3 million, are women, according to a report of WHO.

    The former U.S. president, who delivered a speech at the conference stressed that the fatal disease will never be defeated until women are given the medical, social and legal tools to protect their well-being.

    Health-care sectors should be built up in HIV-devastated countries so treatment can be delivered to every person who needs it, he added.

    Clinton promised he will remain engaged in the fight against HIV-AIDS for as long as "Father Time" allows. "I tend to be a sticker. I can't conceive of anything that would divert me from this commitment, short of a life-threatening illness or success" in defeating the disease, the former president said.

    The theme of the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto from 13-18 August is Time to Deliver, and it has brought an estimated 24,000 delegates and 3,000 journalists from around the world. Enditem

    (Agencies)

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton addresses a panel discussion at the Sixteenth International AIDS conference in Toronto, August 15, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>