The Interrelationship Between Gender-based Violence and HIV/AIDS in South Africa

摘要: Abstract This paper focuses on how gender-based violence intersects with HIV/AIDS in ways too devastating to be ignored. Women's subordinate position is linked poverty, sexual abuse/rape, and the risk women long-term union. The country's pioneering steps establish legal judicial frameworks for dealing these problems are discussed. Key Words: HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, Introduction South Africa faces a number of such as high unemployment persistent poverty that have continued make up development challenges. These however being compounded by negative impact pandemic, example, dwindling life expectancy (Paul Perret, AWID Resource Net Friday File, Issue 161, 23 January 2004). With less than one percent worlds' 15-24 year-olds, country accounts roughly 14 global HIV infections among this age group. Young at particular risk. Within group, there five infected females every two males (Fredriksson Berry 2001). problem further aggravated rape violence. Declaration Elimination Violence Against Women adopted United Nations General Assembly 1993, defines it (violence against women) "any act results in, or likely result physical, sexual, psychological harm suffering women, including threats acts, coercion arbitrary deprivation liberty, whether occurring public private life. Gender-based contributes spread throughout world (WHO 2002; UNAIDS 2003). It (gender-based violence) most widespread human rights abuses health today, affecting many out three (Pan American Health Organization [PAHO] takes forms--physical, emotional, sex abuse. said highest statistics includes (Foster 1999; Integrated Regional Network [IRIN], Johannesburg, Africa, 25 May 2002). For incidences high. Though estimated woman raped 26 seconds, estimate given African police 36 seconds (Nicole Itano, Enews, 28 February, trauma can last lifetime. Rape survivors often face myriad legal, medical issues, resulting significant repercussions. aftermath marital otherwise transmission. Many helpless feel prolonged fear their safety. Moreover, due cultural reasons, victims families usually do not report matter "embarrassment" (Levi In addition, barriers hinder women's access system. did keep separate assault cases perpetuated husbands boyfriends (Human Rights Watch 1995). situation experiences poverty. great majority Africa's poor at, 22 million (Congress Trade Unions [Cosatu] Labor News, April, lack economic opportunities will help abused seek either freedom redress from justice therefore makes matters worse. Poverty limits ability antiretroviral, female condom microbicides, exposes them more (Artz 1999). Access also becomes very difficult. situation, abusive relationships financial means leave home, same time, may unable negotiate safer use partner's reactions (Vetten Bhana …