HIV/AIDS and Gender:

South African Women and the Spread of Infection.

Statistics

• In 2007, 46.3% of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide (15.4 million)were women

• In South Africa,74% of young people aged15-24 living with HIV are female

Vulnerability

• economic dependence on men

• Men diminish a woman’s ability to negotiate safe sexual practices.

• unable to insist on condom use to protect themselves against the risk of HIV transmission by a male partner

• No economic resources and their ability to protect themselves from HIV infection and against violence.

• Women have to remain discrete about other relationships for fear of violence and “punishment” if these other relationships are discovered.

• face additional and more acute discrimination when identified as being HIV positive

• they are branded as the “spreaders” of the virus.

Rape • The high HIV prevalence and high

levels of sexual violence in South Africa, women are at risk of contracting this virus as a consequence of rape.

• likelihood of transmission during an incident of rape can be exacerbated by a number of factors.

• perpetrators rarely use a condom, the “high rate of multiple perpetrator” rapes, the frequency of sexual assaults and the presence of sexually transmitted infections.

• victim may also receive wounds in the genital area and associated bleeding which can further increase chances of transmission of the virus

Abuse/Fear

• oppression in their relationships with male partners, families, and the wider community as a result of their low social status in conjunction testing positive for HIV

• gender inequality were associated with a range of consequences, including failure to complete their education, violations of their sexual and reproductive rights, and imposed barriers to HIV-related health services and treatment

• Face abuse from their partners when attempting to have access to health services for HIV-related treatment and care

• Woman’s fear of the possible reaction by her partner or family members that impacted her decision to seek intervention or life saving treatment.

• Hide medication in their homes because they fear that their HIV status may be revealed to members of their household

Pictures

Overcoming a challenge…

• Prevention, treatment, research.

• Public investment

• Involvement of west Africa's government.

• Getting knowledgeable & tested

• Shelters

• Educate young men about sexual violence

• More involvement by developed countries.

• ensuring the success efforts of AIDS relief programs.