At present, no UN agency is dedicated exclusively to women's human rights and development needs. A set of under-resourced entities are expected to address the concerns of half the world's population. Nearing the end of his term, the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis proposed the creation of an independent multilateral agency with the stature and resources necessary to meaningfully improve the lives of women. It is argued that the UN's failure to dedicate the necessary resources to ensure women's systemic equality indicates more than neglect or indifference. It sends a powerful message that women are not worthy of expenditure. It implies that women's lives are not as valuable as the lives of others.
Equity and HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS and the women left behind
Erdman J, Kelly L: Toronto Star, 19 July 2006
HIV/AIDS and the World Bank
The World Bank states that as of the end of 2004, 39 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, of which more than 95 per cent were in low- and middle-income countries. Nearly two-thirds are in sub-Saharan Africa, and nearly one in five in South or Southeast Asia. The World Bank has been carrying out efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact since the late 1980s. Most efforts have been over the last decade: only 9 free-standing AIDS projects and 22 with AIDS components of at least $1 million have been completed. Nearly two thirds of its global projects and commitments have been launched since 2000, the majority of which are accounted for in the Africa Multi-Country AIDs Programme (MAP).
HIV/AIDS and Trade Unions: A Mozambican Perspective
This paper was prepared for distribution at an interdisciplinary research symposium on HIV/AIDS in the workplace, held from June 29-30 2004 at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. It provides an overview of current union activities focusing on HIV in Mozambique, based on discussion with Mozambican unionists working as HIV activists and on the work of CUSO-Mozambique's Linkage Program with a group of six women's committees from six different trade unions.
HIV/AIDS education in Tanzania: The experience of at-risk children in poorer communities
Maro CN, Roberts GC and S rensen M: Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 4(1): 23–36, March 2009
This study has investigated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge, attitudes and sexual at-risk behaviours of youths from disadvantaged communities of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were 800 youths aged 12-15 years from poorer communities. Participants showed low levels of HIV knowledge, little experience with condom use and low intention to use condoms. Contrary to expectations, there were no significant differences between those in-school and those out-of-school. Gender differences were apparent, in that girls scored consistently lower than boys on all variables. HIV and AIDS education within the schools of Tanzania needs to be re-evaluated and better educational strategies developed.
HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours among rural South African youth: Implications for health education
Peltzer K, Seoka P: African Journal of AIDS Research 8(1):28–32, 2009
The aim of the study was to evaluate data on behavioural indicators in relation to HIV prevention and occurrence in a rural youth population in South Africa. A representative community sample of youth using a three-stage cluster sampling method was chosen for a household survey, and qualitative data were obtained from the youths using ten focus group discussions. Results indicated a moderately adequate knowledge of HIV. HIV/AIDS knowledge was associated with more consistent condom use, and with a more supportive attitude towards persons with HIV or AIDS. Among female youth, 15.2% reported to have become victims of forceful sex during the last 12 months. For youth the major reasons for not using a condom with a non-commercial partner were 'not available', followed by 'did not like them', 'did not think of it', 'other' (mainly trust in partner), and 'partner objected'.
HIV/AIDS messages in Malawi and their implications for effective responses
Houston V and Hovorka A: African Journal of AIDS Research 6(3): 205–214
This paper explores the nature of HIV/AIDS education and information networks in Malawi, with a focus on Dedza district. We consider the role of institutional and personal actors involved in Malawi's recently instated and decentralised behaviour-change intervention strategy, as well as the form and function of interpersonal social networks that mediate this information. The research reveals that the organisational capacity of actors and the conflicting messages regarding promotion of condom use may prevent Malawi from achieving a coordinated and effective decentralised response to the HIV epidemic. The research shows that individuals draw on complex interpersonal social networks, often processing mixed messages regarding HIV prevention strategies and receiving negative messages regarding condom use. The paper discusses the implications of such inconsistencies and conflicts with actors, interpersonal social networks and the nature of the messages themselves for HIV/AIDS education in Malawi.
HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies and the State in sub-Saharan Africa – the missing link?
Mohiddin A, Johnston D: Globalization and Health 2006, 2:1
The HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa is widely recognised as a development disaster threatening poverty reduction, economic growth and not merely a health issue. Its mitigation includes the societal-wide adoption and implementation of specific health technologies, many of which depend on functional institutions and State. For international public health policies to be effective, they must consider a country tailored approach, one that advocates a coordinated strategy designed and led by the State with involvement of wider society specific to each country's particular history, culture, and level of development.
HIV/AIDS prevention through peer education and support in secondary schools in South Africa
Visser MJ: SAHARA Journal 4 (3): 678-694, 2007
The implementation and evaluation of a peer education and support programme in secondary schools to prevent and reduce high-risk sexual behaviour amongst adolescents is discussed. The aims of the programme were to provide accurate information about HIV, discuss and reconsider peer group norms, and establish support for learners. In the programme that was implemented in 13 secondary schools in Tshwane, South Africa, peer educators were identified, trained and supported to implement the programme in their schools with the assistance of a teacher and postgraduate students as facilitators. The results showed that the percentage of learners in the experimental group who were sexually experienced remained unchanged over the time period of 18 months. In contrast, a significantly increased percentage of learners in the control group were sexually experienced after the same time period. The control group also perceived more of their friends to be sexually experienced. No differences were reported in condom use in either of the groups. The findings of this study suggest that peer education can contribute to a delayed onset of sexual activity, and can therefore contribute to the prevention of HIV amongst adolescents.
HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in the health sector
World Health Organization, September 2008
This publication defines the essential interventions the health sector should deliver and provides key references as well as links to web-based resources. The document provides WHO’s best attempt to assemble and package normative advice for the health sector concerning the essential response to HIV/AIDS. We hope it will prove useful for all those who work in the health sector, whatever their capacity, as they confront the realities of HIV/AIDS throughout the world.
HIV/AIDS threatening subsistence agriculture in Mozambique
HIV/AIDS is threatening subsistence agriculture in Mozambique, with "ominous implications" for the country's food supply, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned. By 2020 the country will have lost over 20 percent of its agricultural labour force to HIV/AIDS, according to FAO. Mozambique and Namibia feature among the nine hardest-hit African countries, all in southern and eastern Africa, where FAO predicts a loss of agricultural labour to the disease.