Namibia: Woman Most Affected By HIV-Aids - ICW
By, Kakunawe Shinana, The Namibian (Windhoek), August 9, 2007
Many more women than men in Namibia are living with HIV-Aids, Caroline Thomas of the International Community of Women living with HIV-Aids (ICW) said at the Sister Namibia press briefing on Monday.
Sister Namibia in collaboration with the Women's Leadership Centre organised a briefing on the impact of HIV-Aids on women and girls.
Thomas said this impact has resulted in women and girls being burdened with caring for the sick and the dying with little support, while providing for a rapidly growing number of orphans.
"Young women are particularly at risk of new infections, because of the many cultural practices that involve sexual and other violation of their bodies," she said, adding; "Girls and young women in poverty are also exposed to HIV infection through 'sugar daddy' relationships with older men."
UNAIDS estimates that 62 per cent of people living with HIV are women, compared to 38 per cent men.
Despite prevention campaigns over the years, the infection rate has not decreased.
The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services conducted a national survey among pregnant women which shows a national average of 19,9 per cent of those tested in 2006 were HIV positive compared to 19,7 per cent in 2004.
Figures vary greatly among the regions of Namibia, with the highest rate in the Caprivi Region amongst the age group 25 to 49.
Almost 50 per cent of pregnant women tested in 2006 in Katima Mulilo were HIV positive.
Thomas said poverty drives many women and girls into prostitution, or they are trapped in unhealthy and often violent relationships as a means of survival.
Gender inequality is in many ways sanctioned by cultural practices.
Culture teaches boys to become men to rule over women and control their bodies, while girls are taught to be submissive and to be dependent on men, instead of promoting women's right to body integrity and choice.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200708090241.html
Many more women than men in Namibia are living with HIV-Aids, Caroline Thomas of the International Community of Women living with HIV-Aids (ICW) said at the Sister Namibia press briefing on Monday.
Sister Namibia in collaboration with the Women's Leadership Centre organised a briefing on the impact of HIV-Aids on women and girls.
Thomas said this impact has resulted in women and girls being burdened with caring for the sick and the dying with little support, while providing for a rapidly growing number of orphans.
"Young women are particularly at risk of new infections, because of the many cultural practices that involve sexual and other violation of their bodies," she said, adding; "Girls and young women in poverty are also exposed to HIV infection through 'sugar daddy' relationships with older men."
UNAIDS estimates that 62 per cent of people living with HIV are women, compared to 38 per cent men.
Despite prevention campaigns over the years, the infection rate has not decreased.
The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services conducted a national survey among pregnant women which shows a national average of 19,9 per cent of those tested in 2006 were HIV positive compared to 19,7 per cent in 2004.
Figures vary greatly among the regions of Namibia, with the highest rate in the Caprivi Region amongst the age group 25 to 49.
Almost 50 per cent of pregnant women tested in 2006 in Katima Mulilo were HIV positive.
Thomas said poverty drives many women and girls into prostitution, or they are trapped in unhealthy and often violent relationships as a means of survival.
Gender inequality is in many ways sanctioned by cultural practices.
Culture teaches boys to become men to rule over women and control their bodies, while girls are taught to be submissive and to be dependent on men, instead of promoting women's right to body integrity and choice.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200708090241.html
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 2:13 pm
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