Gendering the Response to HIV/AIDS: Challenging Gender Inequality

Tallis, Vicci

doi:10.2307/4066436

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…After more than a decade of social science research on AIDS in Africa, there is a considerable body of literature that points to the role of deeply entrenched gender inequalities in the reproduction of "unsafe" sexual practices that contribute to the spread of AIDS (see, for example, Ankomah 1992;Basset and Sherman 1994;Caldwell 1989;Caldwell et al 1999;Campbell 1995;Green 1988;McGrath et al 1993;Obbo 1993Obbo ,1995Orubuloye et al 1993;Schoepf 1992;Ulin 1992). Building on these studies, there is a growing body of literature that points to the role of male sexuality and sexual behavior and calls for more research on notions of masculinity and their implication for the spread of AIDS in Africa (e.g., Baylies and Bujra 2000;Bujra 2000;Foreman 1999;Kiama 1999;Leclerc-Madlala 2000, 2001Makhaye 1998;Omvodo 1996;Redman 1996;Setel 1996;Tallis 2000). There is a need to widen our agenda for research and intervention on AIDS to examine ways to target both men and women.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virginity Testing: Managing Sexuality in a Maturing HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Leclerc‐Madlala

2001

Med Anthropol Q

100

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KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa is currently the site of the world's fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, where it is estimated that between 30 and 40 percent of the adult population is seropositive for HIV. With support from local politicians and members of various government ministries, several self-styled guardians of tradition have emerged to form organizations that advocate and conduct regular virginity testing of girls. Reference to the current HIV/AIDS epidemic is central to calls for greater support of this practice. Drawing on original research among Zulu-speaking people in the periurban communities of Durban, this article examines the sociocultural construction of HIV/AIDS and locates the growing popularity of virginity testing within a gendered meaning-making process consistent with commonly held beliefs that the epidemic is the result of women being sexually "out of control." With the social impact of AIDS starting to take its toll in the forms of increasing AIDS-related deaths and a growing population of orphans, I argue that virginity testing is an attempt to manage the epidemic by exerting greater control over women and their sexuality. In addition, virginity testing of girls helps to draw attention away from the role of men in the maturing epidemic, consideration of which has been conspicuously absent in the popular discourse on AIDS at all levels of South African society.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virginity Testing: Managing Sexuality in a Maturing HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Leclerc‐Madlala

2001

Med Anthropol Q

100

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“…The endemic violence against women in South Africa and AIDS genderblaming, 1 however, might discourage positive health behaviour despite relatively early diagnosis. Unfortunately, women have been shown to be subjected to violence when disclosing an HIV-positive status (Ndiaye, 2000;Tallis, 2000;Maman, Mbwambo, Hogan, Weiss, Kilonzo & Sweat, 2001;Vetten & Bhana, 2001). This may discourage efforts to protect oneself from re-infection and may have an adverse impact on adherence.…”

Section: Gender and Adherencementioning

confidence: 99%

HIV disclosure and other factors that impact on adherence to antiretroviral therapy: the case of Soweto, South Africa

Skhosana¹,

Struthers²,

Gray³

et al. 2006

African Journal of AIDS Research

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Some authors argue that there are no predictors of adherence to medication, while others proffer indicators of likely adherence. These contextual factors are wide-ranging and may be interdependent. There are few studies of adherence in resource-poor settings. Of these, many were linked to particular trials whose conditions were highly controlled. For instance, the number of participants in the trial was small, the participants were strictly selected and they were offered much adherence support. These conditions will largely fall away with wider access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) such as South Africa is undertaking. Poor adherence remains one of the challenges to scaling-up access to ARVs, and, as such, the likely barriers to adherence need to be understood and countered. This study explores contextual factors - such as disclosure, preparation for treatment, treatment meaning and treatment acceptance - as aspects of lifestyle that can bear on adherence. Those who had disclosed were largely supported at household level, and after initial problems with adherence, participants adjusted and were able to include ARV treatment in their daily repertoire. Although the anticipation of stigma remains an obstacle to wide disclosure, antiretroviral therapy offers new hope and has the potential to impact on stigma.

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“…Gender inequalities play a role in the spread of HIV, as women are both physiologically and socially more vulnerable to HIV infection than men (Tallis, 1998(Tallis, , 2000.Women often have less access to education, training and productive resources like land and credit (Weiss, Quigley, Hayes, 2000). In situations where women live in poverty and have limited resources, sex is often used as a means of survival.…”

Section: Gender Dimensions Of Hiv/aidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women in Chinsapo, Malawi: vulnerability and risk to HIV/AIDS

Ghosh

Kalipeni

2005

SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS

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Malawi, a very poor country located in southern Africa, is no exception to the growing trend and severity in HIV prevalence. By the end of 2003 there were 900 000 adults and children in Malawi living with HIV/AIDS. Adult prevalence was estimated to be 15%, which is higher than the 7.1% average rate for sub-Saharan Africa. In order to understand the spread of HIV/AIDS it is imperative to address the economic, social, cultural, and political issues that impact on women's contraction and spread of the virus. We do so in this paper by critically examining the gendered context of HIV/AIDS with reference to Malawi. The theoretical framework for this research focuses on poverty, gender relations, regional migration patterns, and global economic changes which place women in highly vulnerable situations. The study was conducted in a low-income area in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. In 2003 and 2004, 60 randomly selected women who lived in a low socioeconomic residential area completed a structured interview on issues concerning individual economic situations, marriage history, fertility, family planning and social networks, gender, sexual partnerships, and HIV/AIDS. Focus group interviews were also conducted with an additional 20 women. The results of our study indicate that the rising epidemic among women in Malawi is firstly driven by poverty which limits their options. Secondly, gender inequality and asymmetrical sexual relations are basic to spreading HIV/AIDS among women. Thirdly, in spite of their awareness through media and health care professionals, women are unable to protect themselves, which further increases their vulnerability.

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Gendering the Response to HIV/AIDS: Challenging Gender Inequality

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

Virginity Testing: Managing Sexuality in a Maturing HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Virginity Testing: Managing Sexuality in a Maturing HIV/AIDS Epidemic

HIV disclosure and other factors that impact on adherence to antiretroviral therapy: the case of Soweto, South Africa

Women in Chinsapo, Malawi: vulnerability and risk to HIV/AIDS

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