HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a serious development
and social problem in most countries around the world. Recent
estimate by UNAIDS puts the number of people infected by the
epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa to 28.5 million (out of the global
total of 40 million). In 2001 alone, the incidence was 3.5 million
people in sub-Saharan Africa (out of the global total of 5,000,000)
(UNAIDS, 2002). The proportion of women living with HIV/AIDS
globally has risen in recent years from 41% in 1997 to 47% in
2000 (UNAIDS, 2002). In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated
that there are 12 to 13 women newly infected with HIV for every
10 men. Most women are infected at an earlier age (UNFPA, 2001).
Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries where
HIV/AIDS has become a development challenge. Most recent information
from the Ministry of Health puts HIV prevalence in Ethiopia
at 6.6%. The same report reveals high prevalence of HIV among
pregnant women between the ages 15 – 24 as compared to ages
25 – 34. The HIV prevalence rate is lower at higher ages (35
– 49). Higher prevalence rates were reported among pregnant
women in urban areas ranging from 9.4% up to 19.9%. In rural
area, prevalence rates among pregnant women ranged from 1.1%
to 10.7%. The report also shows that the peek ages for AIDS
cases are 20 –29 for females and 25 –34 for males. The report
also asserts that the number of females infected in the 15 –19
age group to be much higher than for males in the same age group.
Source: Policy Project
Several factors increase the vulnerability
of women and girls to HIV. In addition to being more physiologically
susceptible to contracting HIV, women are generally vulnerable
to the infection given societal gender norms, which ascribe
distinct roles and responsibilities to women and men. The different
attributes and roles assigned to men and women shapes their
ability to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, as well as cope
with the impact. Economic factors also compound the vulnerability
of women and girls to the epidemic.
Physiologically, it is estimated that girls
and women are two to four times more susceptible to the infection
than are boys and men (UNAIDS, 2002). Bigger surface area of
mucosa in women exposes them to their partner’s sexual secretions
during intercourse. Semen also contains a higher concentration
of HIV/AIDS than vaginal secretion and can survive for hours
after intercourse. Furthermore, women are more likely than men
to have other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) which is
estimated to increase the risk of HIV infection by three to
four times (UNAIDS). This is compounded by the fact that 50
to 80% of women with STIs do not have any symptoms or has symptoms
that cannot easily be recognized (UNAIDS, 1999).
Compounding the biological vulnerability
of women is the socially constructed gender roles that are assigned
to men and women in societies. Different attribute and roles
ascribed by society to males and females affect their ability
to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS as well as handle its
impact. In Ethiopia, as it is in other sub-Saharan African countries,
the prevailing gender roles at the household, community and
even national levels often have relegated women and girls to
subordinate status.
download
- ms-word
| Next
