Questioning Gender, HIV/AIDS and
Development in Sub-Sahara Africa`
Africa,
the “problem child”, as most would refer to it, harbors all different kinds of
adversities. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing feminization
of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Looking at the number of incidences from a
development perspective, it is essential that close a attention should be paid through
identifying and supporting HIV/AIDS programs that may, somehow, help to reduce
gender disparities particularly in Africa. There is a need to advocate and be proactively involved
with organizations that are working to reduce gender inequalities and gender-based
violence.
According
to a report by the United Nations, the number of girls and women infected with
HIV/AIDS is growing rapidly compared to their male counterparts. There are more
than 17.7 million women living with the disease worldwide. In Sub-Sahara Africa
alone, almost 58 percent of the number infected are female. More than 4,000 of
young people, aged between 15 to 24, are infected around the world, of which
two-thirds of them are women. This figure is probably twice to three times in
some countries compared to others.
I
watched a documentary on a very sad story of a young woman from Ethiopia and I
could not help but to question some of the harmful social norms and practices
that has contributed to the continuous vulnerability of women and girls in this
region. Monina, a young and a single mother of two kids recounts her bitter
stories as she struggles to battle the disease at a very tender age. The stigma
and pains she went through. As I think of Monina’s story, I am tempted to take
a step back and reflect on some of the cultural values that have rendered women
their abilities to respond to such issues. Faced with rejections from her own
people, she could do nothing but to give up her child for adoption.
Drawing
a conclusion on such issues, then question then becomes, what should be the
role of governments and, how should the development organizations work to
support these women and girls? Because of the social and cultural values, women
have limited access to HIV/AIDS information and services, they have no control
of over their sexual bodies, leaving them defenseless to sexual violence and
abuses that expose them to HIV transmission. The reversal effect of this is
alarming as women are denied of access to economic resources and legal rights that
needed for protections and to contribute productively to caring for others
affected by the disease.
This
documentary is clearly a good example that shows how women in Sub-Sahara Africa
carry a disproportionate care-giving burden when family and community members
are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or die. It is the young girls and women who often
suffer the most. Surely, turning our deaf ears to their cries is not different
from preventing them from acquiring education and losing the potential for
economic empowerment. My plea is that, gender and development practitioners
should be aware of the fact that women who provide care or HIV/AIDS positive
women are faced with double challenges. Approaches to gender and development
should therefore, incorporate and critically evaluate the need to cater for
these women.
Below
is a link to Monina’s story, spare some time and watch it.
I found Susan’s post on “Gender HIV/AID and Development in sub-Sahara Africa” has intrigued another dimension on gender parity and women empowerment discourse. Considering society’s where illiteracy rates are high, it makes it difficult for people infected with HIV/AID to be empowered. This is as a result of widespread discrimination aggravated by lack of awareness and the practice of not associating with such people. In many developing countries women suffers more from HIV/AIDS because they are in a position of vulnerability. Recounting on Monina’s story I was not surprise at all. Her story represents a victim of cultural and societal belief condemnation in most part of Sub Saharan Africa. It is interesting to note that the stigma attached to these group of women are most of time are the breadwinners of their families and responsible for their children’s welfare, such as clothing and schooling. I think rational thinkers would question what the fathers of these children are doing and where are their resources going. This demonstrate the marginalization and neglect women faced in their own societies, which developmentalist seek to address through closing of gender parity and program.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with you for the need to advocate and be proactive in order to reduce gender inequalities and gender base violence in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Therefore, it is wise for both NGOs on the fight against HIV/AID and governments to collaborate when designing intervention programs that is sensitive to cultural and social barriers.
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