Gender inequality in the spread of HIV AIDS

grammatical sex dissimilarity in the spread head of hu earth immunodeficiency virus assistIn declination 2002, Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations at the time wrote in the raw York Times, AIDS has a womans face (2002). Wo custody constitute 57 percent of transmissions in sub-Saharan African countries that ar experiencing human immunodeficiency virus epidemics (UNAIDS Report 2004). Further more in sub-Saharan Africa, young wowork force aged 15 to 24 argon more than three times as likely to be infected as young workforce (UNAIDS Report 2004). In this test I provide argue, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa that the feminised epidemic that is taking place is organism exacerbated largely due to fetch up Inequality. I will argue this is the eggshell because this is because women atomic number 18 socially, economically, and culturally more vulnerable to infection than men. Prevalent issues such(prenominal) as womens fiscal dependence on men, both ph ysical and intimate abuse from their partners and the fact that it is customary for masculines to wee multiple partners are recognise sexuality aspects that are crucial to the spread of human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in the region. I will start by defining what is meant by sex activity Inequality and why it is important in this context and then reach the reasons with an emphasis on notions of masculinity and femininity to explain why the rest of women being infected is rising. However, although this essay will primarily focus on women, it is important to note the gender aspects relating to the spread of HIV amongst men, in fussy the nip to perform and satisfy multiple sexual partners. Throughout the essay I will have-to doe with the issue of gender inequality to the themes of globalisation, exiguity and governance and leadership whilst giving reference to the examples of Nigeria, Uganda and south Africa to support my argument. So what exactly is gender inequality and w hy is it important? When talking astir(predicate) gender inequality in sub-Saharan Africa, the issue is clear. Tallis relates the border best, remarking that we are analysing the position and status of women in relation to the position of men and the position of different women (2000 59). The importance of gender inequality cannot be under(a)estimated as it is evident at all stages of the prevention-care continuum. Gender inequality is perhaps the main(prenominal) problem area impeding HIV/AIDS prevention (Tallis 2000 60). Furthermore, reports by several non-governmental organizations such as UNESCO, the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on breeding and the Global Campaign for Education recognise that gender issues are unwrap to the problem of HIV and AIDS (Oxfam 2008 11). It is undisputed in the specialist HIV/AIDS field that gender roles and unequal gender relations are fuelling the epidemic by rendering women vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Gender inequality is closely comm only when seen in notions of masculinity and femininity across African societies. In South Africa, culture is generally male-dominated, with women conventionally given a depleteder social status. Men are socialised to believe that women are inferior and should be under their reign over women are socialised to over-respect men and act submissively towards them ( health24 2009). In addition to their lower status, b miss African women generally have less access to safe housing and are often dependent on their male partners as breadwinners for support (Petros 2006 72). Sex, for representative continues to this mean solar day to be defined primarily in name of male desire with women being the relatively passive recipients of these passions(Seidel 2000).Dr. Seggasne Musisi, head of psychiatric reference book at Mulago Hospital relates soundly the psychology of sexual behaviour in Uganda. Control of sexual relations is purely with men. Women have no cultural or legal power to either promote or control their sexual health (Human Rights Watch 2003). In these male-dominated societies, the essay of HIV/AIDS is exacerbated further by waste sexual practise, both by men and by women (which will be discussed later). Traditionally men are given to have multiple partners and practise sex outside of a relationship, so far even suspected infidelity on a womans part is socially unacceptable and can easily result in craze or social exclusion (Ackerman and de Klerk 2002 169). Misconceptions of protective use in African societies only go down the situation. Women are largely afraid to introduce subject of prophylactic protection for fear of domestic power either for suspecting their husbands of having extramarital personal business or because they might be accused of adultery (Human Rights Watch 2003). Margaret Namusisi, 25 years old from Uganda explains the response when she asked her husband to wear a condom. When I tell him to use a condom he refuses. He accuses me of havin g other men. (Human Rights Watch 2003) There was likewise the concern from women that if they asked to use condoms during sex, it would lead to violence or financial abandonment (World Health Organization 2003). Namusisi comments on the response she faces when she refuses to have sex without protection, He goes away and doesnt provide. So I have sex with him so that he can look after the children and habit fight (Human Rights Watch 2003) Globalisation and national economic policies have play a major role in heightening existing gender inequalities, increasing the economic dependence women have on their partners. The World Health organization has repeatedly criticized the wedge globalization has had in sub- Saharan Africa, ship Nigeria as an example. It argues that, in Nigeria, globalisation has benefited the rich (mostly men) nevertheless penalised the poor, less educated, low skilled or slothful fall within this other group, which relate to women (1990). What this equates t o is that the average Nigerian woman finds it increasingly hard to leave disgraceful or risk based relationships because of increased economic dependence (Zierler and Krieger 1998). forbidding criticism has been levelled also at the Structural Adjustment Program that was incorporated into underdeveloped countries. Despite the many a(prenominal) benefits that Structural Adjustment Programmes provide to developing countries such as building up economies and changing national legislature in order to create an environment more open to entering investment from abroad SAPs have many flaws. PrimarilySAPs the main flaw affects the offer and the demand for health services through health spending cuts and also by reducing household income, which leaves people with less money for needed treatment. (World Health Organization). Yet many are denied access to appropriate intervention and curative services especially in parts of the mankind where their call for are greatest. As the epide mic has progressed, women have taken increasing indebtedness for those who are sick or orphaned by AIDS in time they have been allowed little influence over the relevant policy and mean decisions (Doyal in Tallis 200087). It is important to note that this is not solely the boldness in Nigeria, but in the majority of sub- Saharan Africa where p openy affects 315 billion people and one in two of people in hitman Saharan Africa survive on less than one dollar per day (Food4Africa 2011) What SAPs and the aforementioned factors produce a corporation where poverty drives Women resorting to increasingly risky sexual behaviours as part of multiple livelihood strategies (Ahonsi 1999) Entering prostitution is not a personal choice in many cases but the last resort of women who have been structurally disadvantaged in every way and left with no other resource but their bodies (Schoepf 1998 65). It is wide recognised that men will pay more to have sex without a condom, which the sex work ers find difficult to refuse due to their financial problems. Moreover, with the HIV/AIDS epidemic concentrated in the poorest parts of the solid ground with 90% of HIV positive cases living in the developing world UNAIDS/WHO (1997) it is vital to have constitutional guidelines to safeguard the population from the growing epidemic. The lack of both extensive guidelines and implementation of procedures within national constitutions for extensive responses to HIV/AIDS leads to situation where gender inequality will inevitably worsen For instance the Nigerian Constitution legislates for the protection of human rights but at that place is a need to create explicit benchmarks and guidelines to implement and develop effective rights-based response to gender inequality and HIV/AIDS (Aniekwu 2002 35). South Africa has brought in laws detailing measures on promoting womens rights in what had been a predominantly patriarchal society among whites as well as blacks, the ANC has legalised abor tion, given women equal power in marriage, cracking down on domestic violence and banning gender discrimination amongst other initaitives (Economist 2010). On paper South Africa has one of the worlds most commendable constitution containing an impressive legal arsenals for protecting womens rights and is ranked quaternary out of 53 countries with regards to this (Economist 2010). But the gap between principle and physical exercise is often wide (Economist 2010) with women still more likely to be unemployed and 40% admit that their first experience of sex was a blow (Economist 2010). Furthermore intimate partner violence is associated with increased levels of HIV risk behaviour, examples being multiple partners, high levels of prostitution and excessive substance use. A potential link between HIV status and domestic violence has also been recognized with studies from Africa showing an increased risk of violence when the man is HIV positive (van der Straten in WHO 200354) or when t he woman perceives herself to be at high risk of acquiring HIV from the man (Coker AL and Richter DL in WHO 2003 54) Before concluding, it is important that the Government is the responsible party under relevant international instruments to protect rights (Aniekwu 2002 35). But Presidents such as South Africas Jacob Zuma are doing nothing but aggravating the controversial issue of gender inequality through their own actions. Zuma used traditional notions of gender roles within Zulu society to form the basis of his defence against rape allegations claiming sexual talk with his accuser was demanded by his status as a Zulu male and to deny a woman sex in Zulu culture when she is ready would be equal to rape (Andrews 2007 44). The Zuma case not only exposed national concerns round a culture of violence towards women but also revealed the ways in which gender roles were related via cultural norms. To conclude, It is important to note that men do suffer also as a result of gender inequ ality. For men, the pressure to perform sexually and with many partners places them at risk of HIV infection (Tallis 2000 58). The male-orientated culture present in sub-Saharan African societies means that many men wont seek HIV services due to a fear of stigma and discrimination and the perception of being labelled worn down in such a male dominated society, which then has an impact on their wives or partners. Both Education and Health Programmes can break access to services for both women and men by removing financial barriers, convey services closer to local communities and tackling HIV/AIDS. In this essay I have shown the combination of their sexuality and gender disadvantage in terms of cultural, economic and social factors places women more at risk of infection than men. Gender inequality has undoubtedly been a driving force in the spread of HIV/AIDS and will continue to do so until traditional notions of the roles of men and women are overhauled. As whilst, the blame cult ure placed towards women continues, the HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS epidemic will be remain feminised and sub-Saharan African women will still find themselves faced with overt prejudice.