Violence against women increases risk of HIV Report by Isaac Eranga, a 2014 Family Planning award winner isaac_editorial@yahoo.com +2348059233001
It is now an acceptable fact that there is link between violence
against women (VAW) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), says
report. Studies have revealed that directly addressing VAW and gender
iniquality has significant potential to make HIV prevention programmes
more effective.
Gender is used to refer to ideals about characteristics of women and
men that are socially constructed, while sex refers to anatomical and
biological characteristics of people's bothers: male, female or
intersex (possessins both male and female traits).
Gender analysis identifies, analyses and informs action to address
iniqualities that arise from the different social roles assigned to
women and men, the unequal power relationships between them, and the
consequences of these iniqualities on their lives, their health and
wellbeing. Gender analysis in HIV programming highlights how
iniqualities constrain women's ability to protect themselves from HIV,
and to seek safe testing, care and support services.
The UN defines violenc against women as any act of gender based
violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual
or mental harm or suffering to women, uincluding threats of such acts,
coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occuring in
public or private life.
According to a publication "ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND
HIV/AIDS: WHAT WORKS?" from 27 to 29 october 2009, a working group of
expert researchers, policy makers and practitioners met to review the
current state of evidence and practice in developing and implementing
interventions and strategies to address the intersection of VAW and
HIV.
It was discovered that violence against women arises from and
perpetuates gender iniquality within societies. It increases women's
risk of HIV and can also be a resolt of beimg HIV positive.
Research over the last decade from diverse cultural settings has
conclusively established that women who experience VAW or high levels
of gender iniquality in their sexual relationships are at increased
risk of HIV infection through a range of direct and indirect pathways.
Similarly, evidence portrays that men who perpectuate or uses violence
are more likeli to engage in sexual risk taking behaviour, and thus
are at increased risk of HIV - social norms for men surrounding
multiple and concurrent partnerships, as well as sexual risk taking
and substance use, encourage behaviours that endanger men as well as
their sexual partners.
HIV-prevention programmes must therefore address the interrelated
problems of gender iniquality and VAW in order to be effective.
against women (VAW) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), says
report. Studies have revealed that directly addressing VAW and gender
iniquality has significant potential to make HIV prevention programmes
more effective.
Gender is used to refer to ideals about characteristics of women and
men that are socially constructed, while sex refers to anatomical and
biological characteristics of people's bothers: male, female or
intersex (possessins both male and female traits).
Gender analysis identifies, analyses and informs action to address
iniqualities that arise from the different social roles assigned to
women and men, the unequal power relationships between them, and the
consequences of these iniqualities on their lives, their health and
wellbeing. Gender analysis in HIV programming highlights how
iniqualities constrain women's ability to protect themselves from HIV,
and to seek safe testing, care and support services.
The UN defines violenc against women as any act of gender based
violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual
or mental harm or suffering to women, uincluding threats of such acts,
coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occuring in
public or private life.
According to a publication "ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND
HIV/AIDS: WHAT WORKS?" from 27 to 29 october 2009, a working group of
expert researchers, policy makers and practitioners met to review the
current state of evidence and practice in developing and implementing
interventions and strategies to address the intersection of VAW and
HIV.
It was discovered that violence against women arises from and
perpetuates gender iniquality within societies. It increases women's
risk of HIV and can also be a resolt of beimg HIV positive.
Research over the last decade from diverse cultural settings has
conclusively established that women who experience VAW or high levels
of gender iniquality in their sexual relationships are at increased
risk of HIV infection through a range of direct and indirect pathways.
Similarly, evidence portrays that men who perpectuate or uses violence
are more likeli to engage in sexual risk taking behaviour, and thus
are at increased risk of HIV - social norms for men surrounding
multiple and concurrent partnerships, as well as sexual risk taking
and substance use, encourage behaviours that endanger men as well as
their sexual partners.
HIV-prevention programmes must therefore address the interrelated
problems of gender iniquality and VAW in order to be effective.
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