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There's close relationship between violence and Aids
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This year's theme for the 16 Days of Activism against gender violence campaign: "For the Health of Women, for the Health of the World: No More Violence", is not only apt, but also timely for the millions of battered women. The theme focuses on the negative health consequences of violence against women and girls and in particular, how violence against women and girls places them at high risk of contracting HIV/Aids. The HIV/Aids report launched by UNAids, on November 24, shows that 57 per cent of adults living with Aids in the region were women. Experts in the continent point to two key areas of concern: violence against women and girls and the lack of comprehensive HIV prevention approaches that take into account the realities of women's lives. Further, sexual violence against women and girls, unequal access to information, gender power relations and cultural norms like wife inheritance and female genital mutilation have largely contributed to the increase. Women are also highly vulnerable as a result of sexual assault, rape and coercion. Young women, many of them orphans from the Aids crisis, can become involved in coercive sexual relationships with older men in order to secure food, shelter, clothing or school fees. The World Health Organisation estimates that from 10 to 69 per cent of women will experience violence in their lifetime. In Kenya , a study funded by CIDA GESP and Ford Foundation shows that at least 60.9 adult women had reported some form of sexual abuse. These high figures point to women's low status within their families and society. Beliefs and attitudes across cultures in Kenya and Africa still largely maintain that women are subordinate to men, and thus lack autonomy, economic independence and decision-making powers – even over their own bodies. A recent study in South Africa , published in The Lancet, showed that of 1,366 women attending health services in Soweto , those beaten by their husbands or boyfriends were 48 per cent more likely to become infected with HIV than women in non-violent relationships. Physical and sexual violence, coupled with the almost ubiquitous acceptance that men "require" or at the very least have a "right" to multiple sexual partner, means men are spreading the virus between multiple wives and girlfriends and bringing it home. The same study reported that women who were emotionally or financially dominated were 52 per cent more likely to be infected than women who were not, making it obvious that women's sexual fidelity within marriage or long-term relationships does not keep them safe from HIV infection. Women in partnerships are often unable to negotiate sex and condom use, are physically forced or coerced into sex, and are unable to refuse sex with their partner. Moreover, sexual assault, rape and coercion from unknown men further increase the risk of HIV infection for women and girls. As Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy for HIV/Aids in Africa stated: "The pandemic of Aids is a gender-based disease." For decades, mainstream approaches to HIV prevention emphasising the ABCs (Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condoms) have ignored women's context and experience and the deadly consequences for women are apparent in the statistics. The ABC approach analysed from a gender perspective recognises that abstinence is not an option for women and girls who are physically forced or coerced into sex, or who are culturally expected to be sexually available on demand by their partners. Faithfulness requires the commitment of both partners and offers no protection to women whose husbands have multiple partners or who were infected before they were married. Condom use requires the cooperation and consent of men. The ABC approach cannot turn the tide of infections for women and girls. A much more comprehensive approach, rooted in the reality of women's lives, must be designed if women and girls are to be safer. As Kofi Annan stated: "What is needed is positive, concrete change that will give more power and confidence to women and girls, and transform relations between women and men at all levels of society." Concrete, informed and immediate action is needed at all levels – from individuals to communities to governments – to start reducing HIV infection rates for women and girls. The Global Coalition on Women and Aids stresses that "prevention methods that promote gender equality and women's human rights can stop the epidemic and steadily reverse the rate of infection. As individuals, each of us can begin by talking – to our partners, children, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Violence thrives on silence. Bringing the problem and its effects to light can begin to bring about change. Everyone can become active in raising awareness and promoting concrete action that will help bring change. Communities can support women and girls experiencing violence and hold men who choose violence accountable. Donor parties and civil society organisations must recognise that HIV prevention must move beyond traditional approaches to reflect the complexity of women and men's lives. Judges and magistrates must show their willingness to ensure that justice is not only done, but be seen to be done, by handing punitive and deterrent sentences to offenders. Members of Parliament must prove that they are committed to the ideals upon which they were voted into Parliament, by passing legislation that will seek to protect women from violence. Bills that are gathering dust must be debated as a matter of priority. These include the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences bills. The Government, development partners and policy makers must publicly speak about the link between violence and HIV infection. They must create policies, protocols and laws that support gender equality and prioritise comprehensive HIV prevention and ensure adequate funding is earmarked to successfully carry out the initiatives. Churches and religious organisations must join this fight against violence. The writer is the executive director of the Centre for Rehabilitation & Education of Abused Women (CREAW) |
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