Women & HIV/AIDS

Why focus on women?

Women are biologically more vulnerable to infection – male to female transmission is estimated to be twice as likely as female to male.
Womens experiences are different not only in terms of biology but also in relation to sexual behaviour, social attitudes, economic power and vulnerability.
Inequality between the sexes limits women's access to care and services. It also reduces both men and women's opportunities to acquire knowledge about safer sexual practices, and to develop skills to protect themselves from HIV.
In some of the regions worst affected by AIDS, more than half of girls aged 15 to 19 have either never heard about AIDS or have at least one major misconception about how HIV is transmitted.
Marriage is no protection against HIV. There is a large difference in attitudes towards men and women's sexuality, both within and outside of marriage. Promiscuity in men is much more acceptable. This exposes men to an increased risk of infection, and increases the possibility that they will transmit HIV/AIDS to their partners.
The ABC slogan – abstain, be faithful, consistently use a condom – is not taken on board by people. Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV primarily due to inadequate knowledge about AIDS, insufficient access to HIV prevention services, inability to negotiate safer sex, and a lack of female-controlled HIV prevention methods such as microbicides.
One fifth and a half of all girls and young women report that their first sexual encounter was forced.
Women known to have HIV/AIDS are more likely to be rejected by their family, denied treatment, care and basic human rights. Yet women and girls tend to bear the main burden of caring for sick family members, including men living with HIV/AIDS.

"A gender-nased response to HIV/AIDS and STDs focuses on how different social expectations, roles, status and economic power of men and women affect and are affected by the epidemic. It analyses gender stereotypes and explores ways to reduce inequalities between women and men so that a supportive environment can be created, enabling both to undertake prevention and cope better with the epidemic."

UNAIDS

Throughout 2004, UNAIDS and its partners have concentrated on a number of key messages. These include:

Many women and girls are vulnerable to HIV because of the high risk behaviour of others
Women hold families and communities together and are a source of great strength in the face of HIV and AIDS
Women leaders should speak out about HIV and AIDS
Men, boys and wider communities have a vital role to play and will also benefit from a focus on women and girls
Women can within various organisations to fight HIV-related stigma and discrimination
HIV-positive women have a unique and valuable role to play, both in society and in fighting HIV/AIDS
Women-friendly health services improve access to care for women and children
Protecting property rights of women keeping families together
Education of young girls reduces their vulnerability to HIV
A wider range of prevention options can empower women to protect themselves
Violence against women can accelerate the spread of HIV. Violence must not be tolerated
Half of all receiving antiretroviral drugs should be women

Further Info

Positive Youth VIDEO

Positive Youth is an education video looking at awareness of and attitudes to HIV/AIDS among Irish and Zambian youth. This highly informative video explores a wide variety of issues surrounding the pandemic. Positive Youth is best suited to classes/groups at senior cycle level.

Contact:
Concern Development Education
52-55 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2
Phone: 01 417 7733
Email: education@concern.net

Women & HIV/AIDS

Why focus on women?

Further Info

Women & HIV

Various reports

Development Education Workshop Downloads

Websites for more information

Positive Youth VIDEO

Contents