AEGiS-15IAC: HIV/AIDS and women's economic empowerment.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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HIV/AIDS and women's economic empowerment.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10281)

Lakhani AL
Deepak Charitable Trust, Baroda, India

ISSUES: India's infection rate in the pandemic is worrisome as it translates to 3.7 million cases-more than half of all cases in Asia. Also, women account for nearly 17 million of the 36 million infected persons worldwide. Sexual abuse and their inability to negotiate safe sex have exposed women to the same.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, DCT' work in HIV/AIDS is in Nandesari village and the surrounding villages (20 kms from the city). This community is typically conservative with several restrictions imposed on women and subjugation of women is at its fore. DCT began it's intervention in the field with the Partnership for Sexual Health (SHP) project funded by the UNAIDS. The interventions focused on identifying the high risk behavior cases (HRB) in the region and counsel them for behavior change and treatment with a special focus on women's empowerment.

LESSONS LEARNED: The project showed some striking revelations with a high prevalence of multi-partner relationships among men as well as women, within the villages itself. The trend of multi-partner sex among village women were seen to stem from a strong economic need than a mere sexual satisfaction. This was particularly seen among single women for whom HRB was an income generating activity. Also, proximity to highway added to commercial sex workers' (CSW) activity enhancing HRB in this population.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Thus, the paper is an attempt to draw a parallel between women's economic need and HRB contributing to the risk of HIV/AIDS. The results presented are in tandem with one of the most pervasive message, which states that,"gender equality and women's empowerment are a pre-requisite to stemming the tide of the epidemic"(Declaration of Commitment). And thus one of the crucial vaccines stemming the spread of the disease today is women's economic empowerment.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Disease Outbreaks, Health Services Needs and Demand, Infection, Prevalence, Asia, India, Humans, Female, Male, economics

040711
D10281

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.