Transcript 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.

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…
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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.