Dear Editor,
Women now represent about half of the people living with HIV. Today the majority of persons who become HIV- positive and who die of AIDS in developing countries are women. Several factors rooted in women’s social relations and their economic realities contribute to them becoming infected at a faster rate than men. Women often are not free to make empowered choices concerning their sexual life. Many women experience sexual and economic subordination in their relationships with their partners, and also at work. In many developing countries women have no social and independent status and depend on men to have access to productive resources. Unequal power relations between men and women, and financial and economic dependence make it difficult for women to negotiate for safe sex. In this context sexual relations between young women and older men are frequent, in particular in arranged marriages. Often, the husband had helped the girl’s family financially. These inter-generational marriages increase the risk for young women being infected with HIV. Older men are more likely to be HIV-positive and to infect their young partner. Women are especially exposed to the consequences of HIV/AIDS.
AIDS also exacerbates the unequal division of work and responsibilities. The traditional domestic role of women means that girls and women are more likely to provide care for sick relatives. Thus a ‘double burden’ is inflicted since in addition to caring for their sick relatives they have to work to contribute to household income. This situation reduces the educational opportunities of girls and young women and their opportunities for achieving financial independence. As a result the proportion of women working in the informal economy, or in lower paid employment is likely to increase.
Trade unions have vital leadership roles to play in changing attitudes in the world of work and the community at large. Employment policies and practices should be reviewed to address gender inequality in the context of HIV/AIDS. Unions should pursue several lines of action, among them: addressing the low status of women as the main means to combat violence against women and girls; supporting HIV- positive women; negotiating with employers to provide financial assistance to HIV-positive workers in order for them and their families to have access to treatment, or encourage workplace medical facilities to diagnose and treat STIs which increase the risk of HIV; providing information and education for men and women including with regard to sexual and reproductive health; and training union representatives on how to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS; campaigning and making efforts to remove the stigma and discrimination that are still attached to people infected with HIV.
Yours faithfully,
Sherwood Clarke
HIV/AIDS Coordinator
CCWU