Analysis
The global trend on HIV/AIDS pandemic has continued to show a disproportionate statistical growth effect on women and adolescent girls who are socially, culturally, biologically and economically more vulnerable, and who shoulder the burden of caring for the sick and dying.
Health care providers have taken a special concern towards this because women form a unique place in caring out gender based-expected roles. It may interest you to know that HIV-infected women often face more discrimination than men, especially in some developing lands.
If a woman is pregnant, the health of her child is endangered, if she already has children, caring for them becomes a challenge, particularly for a single mother. Further, comparatively little is known about the unique characteristics of HIV-infected women and their clinical care.
Certain cultural factors make the situation especially dangerous for women. In many countries women are not expected to discuss sexuality, and they risk abuse if they refuse sex.
Men commonly have many sexual partners and unknowingly transmit HIV to them. Some African men have sexual relations with younger women to avoid HIV or in the false belief that sex with virgins can cure AIDS.
No wonder WHO states: "Interventions must be aimed at men (as well as at women) if women are to be protected."
HIV/AIDS vulnerability affects both men and women simply because of their gender roles that define what it means to be a man or a woman.
For example, in many societies women are expected to be innocent and submissive when it comes to sex, preventing them from accessing sexual health information and services.
