afrol.com, 1 December, World AIDS Day - Whether through their presence at conferences or on the ground, women are at the forefront of the struggle against AIDS. Activists in this area believe there are several reasons why women are generally more aware of the AIDS issue.

Clementine Dehwe, from Zimbabwe, argues that "to combat AIDS and change people's behaviour, we must lead others by setting an example. We must change ourselves before we attempt to change others." And, in this respect, women are ahead of men: "Women are accustomed to looking after their families, to being responsible for the health and care of children."

- They feel more directly concerned by a disease like AIDS, adds Clementine. In general, they are also more likely to admit publicly that they are HIV-positive, notes Jacqueline Mpolokeng, who leads the anti-AIDS campaign of South African trade union COSATU. "When you free yourself from the burden of secrecy, you are in a much better position to act and to help other sufferers," she explains.

The atmosphere of guilt that still surrounds AIDS clearly does not help dispel the fears and concerns that still weigh down on many men. Furthermore, the heavy toll in terms of human lives has left many women to raise a family single-handed. "They have no choice in the matters, they must fend for themselves and the children," explains Keitumetse Mogale, of the Women's Council of the trade union federation in Botswana, highlighting the recent increase in the number of single-parent families headed by women in Botswana, the African country worst hit by the virus.

In Rwanda, too, men appear to have retreated from the front line in this life-and-death struggle - at least, as far as "taking on board" the disease is concerned. "We have set up an association of AIDS-sufferers in Rwanda.

- It is a mixed association, but women represent a large majority, remarks Florida Mukandamutsa, of the CESTRAR trade union confederation in Rwanda. "In a sense, women are more subject to the consequences of the disease. They are more resistant to the virus and therefore live longer with AIDS," she explains. "It is they who must look after the children..." Most importantly, "by refusing unsafe sex, they can be instrumental in combating the disease."

In Ghana, Dr Kweku Yeboah, the head of the National AIDS Control Programme, this week urged men to get more involved in campaigning against AIDS. Yeboah emphasised that this year's World AIDS Day theme: "AIDS, Men Make a Difference", would focus on the role of men in the epidemic. The campaign, he said, aimed at motivating men and women to openly talk about sex, drug use and HIV/AIDS. He said it also aimed at encouraging men to take care of themselves, partners and families and promote programmes that respond to the need of society, according to IRIN.

Of the 33 million people infected with the AIDS virus worldwide, two-thirds are found in Africa. Almost half of them are women. Many of these women have been infected through acts of sexual oppression - rape, unwanted intercourse by elders and obligations to have sex to achieve their rights (such as education). Even more have been infected through their husbands' irresponsible acts.

Sources: Based on ICFTU, IRIN and afrol achives

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