SubSaharan Africa HIVAIDS in Women Emma Sterling SubSahara

Sub-Saharan Africa: HIV/AIDS in Women Emma Sterling

Sub-Sahara n Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa is the most devastated by the epidemic. No other region approaches its’ prevalent rates or displays such a disproportionate impact on women and girls: 77% of all HIV-positive women live in sub-Saharan Africa. – www. unifem. org

Preview of Main Points n Sub-Saharan women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. n Poverty is related to HIV/AIDS in more ways than one. n Gender is fundamental in maintaining the disproportion. n Organizations work on HIV/AIDS, but few focus on a feminist solution. Attention needs to be paid in many areas if a solution is going to be reached.

Sub-Saharan Women are Disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Poverty, gender, and lack of education all lead to the disproportion and are usually linked. n Men have more freedom and are much more promiscuous causing women to contract the virus more often. n Because of mentioned factors, women become dependent on men who are often infecting them. n – In Sub Saharan Africa condom use is rare and men can marry up to four women and infect as many as they are able. – HIV and Development Website Although gender, poverty, and education problems all connect to women’s dependency on men, they have different relationships with HIV/AIDS.

Poverty is Related to HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS to poverty Although HIV/AIDS is not a class issue, many people associate it with poverty. n If one contracts the virus and is not in poverty, they have a great chance to end up there. n If one is in poverty, the chance of disease contraction is much greater because the women are more likely to perform risky, sexual work or become dependent on an infected male. n – “People need to recognize the relationship between HIV and poverty which affects almost the whole sub-Saharan population, ” says the development site, which shows this is not just a lower class issue. Poverty plays a role in the fact that women have a greater chance of contraction, but gender also plays a fundamental role.

Gender Norms and Barriers Often Keep Women in the Disproportionate Place Gender norms lead women to stay home, become dependent, and keep them from seeking information. n Other gender related barriers such as violence against women and fear of men also keep them home. n Gender norms can also lead men to have multiple sexual partners and women to rarely have more than one. n – “There are gender related boundaries such as stigmas, kids, controlled or limited mobility, lack of education, and economic security. ” – World Health Organization Sub Saharan women are no doubt affected more by HIV/AIDS and large problems bind them to their situation, but many organizations are trying to solve the many problematic aspects of their situation.

Many Organizations Address HIV/AIDS in sub-Sahara, but Few Focus on Women’s Unique Situation or How to Get Them Out Many contractions could be prevented with education on gender, contraception, sex, and on STDs in general. n Organizations such as CGAP, SHAZ, and IMAGE help by loaning money so that women can start businesses. IMAGE links gender to loans. n Most sources promoted microfinance loans and education to give women independence and access to more resources. Most sites took one side or the other and did not connect gender, poverty, or education. Except for IMAGE which is the only truly feminist organization. n – IMAGE says, “gender inequality and poverty are at the root of the problem. ” Not many organizations working on HIV/AIDS are feminist and they are working on a problem in which feminism should be crucial to the solution.

Conclusion Awareness needs to be raised about the condition of HIV/AIDS in sub. Saharan women; more needs to be done to stop the spread with feminism at it’s core.

Review of Main Points Women are obviously affected more by HIV/AIDS than men in Sub Sahara. n Poverty has a relationship with HIV/AIDS, but is not limited to. n Gender barriers and norms are binding women to their position, n Organizations are trying to solve the problem but are not focused on a feminist solution. n

Closure Many of the organizations try to aid people who suffer with HIV/AIDS but few focus on the women who extremely need help, the situation they are in, or it’s relationship to gender inequality.