Inequality Makes Women Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS

Posted: 17 June 2005

The status of women in southern African society increases their risk of infection.

Much of the current international effort to combat HIV/AIDS assumes that women and men are equal, and are therefore equally empowered to protect themselves, make decisions about their sexual activity, and access health care.

However in southern Africa women and girls are at heightened risk of being infected with HIV precisely because society and customs deny them the power to choose to abstain from sex, or insist on condom use.

One pillar of HIV/AIDS prevention—being faithful—has proven utterly inadequate in a sector of society where men have multiple sexual partners, and their wives remain faithful.

This lack of a gender perspective on the HIV/AIDS crisis has led to women assuming a greater share of infection and negative impacts from the disease. Inequality between men and women is exacerbating the crisis.

Here are some of the ways these inequalities play out, and how they make women more vulnerable to the disease.

Law and Women’s Rights

Archaic notions about the status of women that were documented into laws during colonial times discriminate against women in southern Africa. Denying women basic rights lowers their status in society, makes them dependent on men for economic survival, and increases their chances of being abused and infected with HIV.

In some countries women are considered legal minors. This prevents them from buying or selling property, and making any serious decisions about employment or finance without the permission of their husbands or a male member of their family.
Women who lack the right to inherit houses or farms stand to be thrown off their property when their husbands die from AIDS. This is catastrophic for widows, and especially young girls, who can be pushed into sexual relationships with men just to survive.
Divorce laws that impose unfair standards on women seeking to prove abuse or infidelity trap women in hostile marriages.

Harmful Traditional Practices

Religious beliefs, customs, and cultural traditions sometimes place women and young girls directly in the path of HIV/AIDS.

The paying of bride price—which used to be modest gifts intended to promote links between families—is now seen as an income-generating opportunity by families with girls. This is turning young women into commodities, who are expected to live up to expectations regarding child rearing and other duties. Lack of respect toward women, and especially the transfer of assets to the husband’s family on his death,l serve to devalue women’s lives and put them in danger of abuse and poverty.
Arranged marriages of young girls, who are sometimes also given to creditors as a form of payment, increases the likelihood of HIV infection through sex with older men.
Traditional healers consulted by desperate men are known to advise sex with virgin girls as a cure for HIV. This is leading to rape, and increased infection rate of young girls.

Domestic and Sexual Violence, Transactional Sex

Lack of respect towards women leads to abuse and sexual assault. Recent studies by the UN show that violence against women is strongly correlated with HIV infection.

Studies in clinics in South Africa show that HIV infection is more likely for women suffering abuse at the hands of a partner.
Fear of abuse discourages women from getting tested for HIV and getting treatment. Bringing news about their status to their partners, or larger community opens them up to violence.
Women in abusive relationships are less empowered to negotiate their sexual activity, and advocate for condom use.
Women and girls thrust into poverty are compelled to use sex to survive, trading it for money, food, housing, even education expenses. Young girls can be pushed into multiple relationships with older men with money, increasing their chances of becoming infected.