Women In Action

HIV – The role of Women in stopping the pandemic

This is a summary of the enlightening speech presented by Ms Serote during our Women in Action Celebration, Soweto

INTRODUCTION

Over 7million people have been diagnosed having AIDS and around 4.7million have died worldwide.

Nearly 50% of people living with HIV\AIDS worldwide are women.

Of special concern today is the fact that black women make up to 66% of all new infections.

Eric Vazquaz in his study on women and HIV\AIDS, most newly diagnosed women he interviewed were not using condoms.

When interviewed they said: – “I thought he loved me” or “We’ve been seeing each other for a while” or I was not sleeping around”.

The black community still thinks it’s only the promiscuous and the drug users who get infected, but if you are having sex you are at risk.

HOW ARE WOMEN GETTING HIV?

Women may be biologically more vulnerable than men to contracting HIV through heterosexual intercourse because infected semen stays in contact with the vaginal lining and cervix longer than infected vaginal secretion remain on the penis.

The most common ways are:-

a)     Having sex with a man who is HIV+

b)    Sharing injection drug works (needles, syringes, etc) used by someone

The most common reasons reported by black women for engaging in behaviours that place them at risk for HIV infection were:-

i)               Financial dependence on male partners

ii)             Feeling invincible

iii)            Low self esteem coupled with a need to feel loved by male figure

iv)            Alcohol and drug use

v)             Sometimes men pressure or force women into unprotected sex

vi)            Sometimes a woman are hesitant to talk about safer sex with a partner because she is afraid of being hurt or abandoned

vii)          Fear of sexual violence

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HIV AND AIDS

i)  Being HIV + is the same as having AIDS.

But this is not the case – there are many healthy individuals who are HIV+.

ii) Having an HIV+ diagnosis is a death sentence.

There are many examples of healthy individuals who are HIV+ and not dying.

If a person takes care over her lifestyle, hygiene and diet, it is often possible to maintain good health almost indefinitely after HIV diagnosis

iii) Another misconception is that AIDS is untreatable

Most of the conditions, symptoms and diseases which are associated with AIDS can be successfully treated medically (e.g. TB, thrush, skin rashes, pneumonia, sexually transmitted disease)

WHAT WOMEN CAN DO

i) Abstain from sex until you are in a relationship with only one person

ii) If you and your partner are HIV+ ,use condoms to prevent STI’s and possible infections

iii) If only one of you have HIV ,use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex

SELF HELP AND HIV\AIDS

Here are some of the self-help measures which can be followed if you have tested HIV+:

i)               Make better food choices: cut junk food and take necessary food supplements ( to deal with multiple nutrient deficiencies)

ii)             Adopt safe detoxification methods and stop adding to toxic burden

iii)            Have hormonal functions checked (e.g. Thyroid) and treated as appropriate

iv)            Aim for a safer and more supportive lifestyle and sexual habits

v)             Consider counselling , psychotherapy or joining supportive lifestyle and seek spiritual guidance (to deal with emotional distress)

vi)            Ensure infections are treated in appropriate and safe ways

ROLES

Women are mothers, caretakers, spouses, employees, friends and neighbours – often all at once.

Living with HIV as a woman means dealing with a disease while still fulfilling these other roles and HIV introduces many new issues for women to handle.

Now we as parents, women and citizens of SA should come together in the spirit of solidarity to stop HIV\AIDS

This can only be achieved if we all unite and adopt a positive attitude

SOLUTION

There is only one weapon against HIV infection and AIDS

If unfortunately the most difficult and complex weapon to use because people find it extremely difficult to change their sexual behaviour (Cannon and Kingman)

One of the main educational functions of the AIDS counsellors is to encourage changes in sexual behavior.

This is very difficult as sex is pleasurable and often has a symbolic meaning.

Counselors should therefore have realistic goals: people will never stop having sex, but they can be taught to have safe sex.

Ms Mapule Serote

Master in Social Work