HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS are both a consequence and a cause of violence against women. It is now increasingly recognised that HIV and AIDS are impacting particularly harshly on women and girls in developing countries.

Women make up 59% of those infected with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and 64% of 15 to 24 year olds living with HIV in developing countries.

What is less often recognised is that the very high level of violence against women in many countries is driving the HIV pandemic.

In some countries, up to 30% of women report that their first sexual experience was coerced or forced.

Sexual violence against women makes them more vulnerable to infection. In addition, because of inequality between women and men, women are often unable to negotiate whether and who they have sex with, or to insist on using a condom.

For women who are diagnosed with HIV, the stigma and discrimination they face from their families and communities can cause or exacerbate violence against them. It also means they are less able to access the treatment, care and support services they are entitled to.

photo : ©Gideon Mendel/Network/ActionAid