Gender

HIV/AIDS affects both women and men, but the risk of infection and the course of the subsequent disease are determined by biological factors and gender-specific norms, roles and behaviours. Today, 47% of the 36.1 million people living with HIV are women, and the proportion is increasing. 58% of the people infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women. Female teenagers are infected six times more frequently than their male counterparts. The roles and standards that society assigns to the genders, the unequal relationships between men and women, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment are all factors that make women more vulnerable. In most societies it is the men who determine sexual behaviour and can impose their will on women and children. Stigmatization and discrimination of women is usually more severe.

Measures to combat HIV/AIDS must be tailored to the specific needs of women and men. A gender-specific strategy must focus on overcoming social barriers that deny women access to information and health services. The social status, economic independence and empowerment of women also need to be supported to enable them to take control of their health and sexuality. But changing the relationship between women and men also means working with men who, as the decision-makers, can make a major contribution to any change towards responsible sexual behaviour and equality of sexual determination