According to statistics, with an estimated 5.7 million people infected, South Africa is believed to have the largest HIV+ population in the world—and the virus is especially prevalent among women under the age of 40.
By UNICEF's count: "The annual survey of women attending public health antenatal clinics showed that 24.5 percent were positive by the end of 2000.... Women who are in abusive relationships are particularly at risk of exposure to HIV infection due to the threat of further violence, abandonment, or loss of economic support if they attempt to negotiate safer sex or refuse sex."
South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel has long been a supporter of amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research).
Just this week, the Victoria's Secret stunner launched a collaboration with Mother Denim—proceeds from the sales of which will go to benefit mothers2mothers, an organization dedicated to training mothers currently living with HIV to work with health care providers to peer-educate other HIV+ mothers and mothers-to-be.
The Candice Swanepoel for Mother Denim collection is inspired by the '90s—and hits stores this February.