TB Tlboc ESAqz QTly KTym 1726580821

GENDER AND HIV/AIDS
MICHAEL OKUMU
SCHOOL OF NURSING
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the session, you will be able to
• Define the concepts related to gender-gender, sex, patriarchy
• Describe the relationship between gender and HIV infection
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS
• What is gender? What is your gender
• What is sex? What is your sex?
• What is the difference between gender and sex?

IF YOUR TO HAVE YOUR FIRST CHILD AFTER 10
YEARS OF WAITING, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU
PREFER
GENDER
• Refers to socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes
that a given society considered appropriate for men and women.
• Gender is centered along femininity and masculinity
• This include norms, behaviors and roles associated with being a
woman, man, boy or girl as well as relationships with each other.
• Gender is hierarchical and produces inequalities that intersect with
other social and economic inequalities
TRANSITION FROM HOSPITAL TO
SOCIETY
FROM HOSPITAL-BOY OR GIRL SOCIETY TRANSITION
SEX
• Refers to biological and physiological characteristics of females, males
and intersex persons such as chromosomes, hormones and
reproductive organs
GENDER ROLES
• Set of societal norms dictating what types of behaviors are generally
acceptable, appropriate or desirable for a person based on their
actual or perceived sex.
• Is centered along the opposing conceptions of femininity and
masculinity although there are many exceptions and variations
• The specifics regarding gender expectations vary among cultures
while some are common
• Are adopted during childhood and normally continue to adulthood
GENDER STEREOTYPING
• Overgeneralization of characteristics, differences and attributes of a
certain group based on their gender.
• Create widely acceptable biases about characteristics or traits and
perpetuate the notion that each gender an associated behavior are
binary
PATRIACHAL SOCIETY
RESULTS OF PATRIACHY- POWER
IMBALANCE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
GENDER AND HIV/AIDS
SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS
Male masculinity-Promiscuity is never sanctioned by some societies while on
the other hand prohibiting the same against women.
The use of alcohol and drugs is sanctioned in some societies. This in turn
increases their vulnerability.
Female submissiveness.-Predisposes women to sexual exploitation against their

will. Any resistance is countered with violence,
Submission to sexual demand among women. Consent to sex among the

married is considered out of question a s the man in perceived to be in charge.
SOCIAL CULTURAL FACTORS
CONT.
• Existence of cultural practices that make women and more girls more
vulnerable. FGM, a common cultural practice that does follow hygiene
protocols.
• Polygamy and wife sharing. Considered a norm in some cultures

without considering the risks involved.
• The practice of wife inheritance. Does not take into account the HIV
status of the individual involved. In addition, the women are not
expected to choose a preferred partner or object to the one provided
SOCIAL CULTURAL FACTORS
CONT.
• The prevalence of HIV is higher in cultures where sexual freedom is
guaranteed and little value attached to virginity.
• In some cultures in western Africa, virginity is considered unmodern
and even unhealthy. This creates room for sexual exploration.
• Early marriages is still common and in some cases even sanctioned by
law. Young girls who are at a high risk of contracting HIV get married
to older men, this further increases their vulnerability.
ECONOMIC FACTORS
• In most societies, the economic power is wielded by most males in
comparison to their female counterparts.
• HIV and poverty are linked, poverty contributes to HIV and vice versa.
• Women and girls are the poorest in most parts of their world and this
limits their ability to make decisions.
• Lack of economic power makes more women dependent on men.
ECONOMIC FACTORS CONT.
• Owing to the difficult economic times, women are forced to seek
sexual favors from men in exchange for money and gifts hence the
rise of Transactional sex.
• Women are also forced to stay in abusive relationships because of the
risk of facing the consequences of staying.
• Sexual work-Women forced to engage in unprotected sex due to the
risk of missing out on the cash.
• Women also have limited access to sexual and reproductive health
services owing to their limited financial ability
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
• Increases cases of forced sex among women. Most 1st sexual
encounters among young girls are either forced, a result of rape or
against their will.
• Threats of violence limit the ability of women to negotiate for safer
sex.
• Threats of violence also limits the ability of women and young girls to
use HTS services and increases the fears of disclosing to their
partners.
EDUCATION
• Low levels of education among young girls and women results in
insufficient knowledge on how to protect themselves.
• Education levels also affects the ability of most women and young
girls to make informed decision on risk reduction
LAWS
• Most legal and customary laws enacted are discriminatory to women.
• There are legal hurdles when it comes to emotive matters such as

divorce. In many cases women cannot sanction for a divorce from an
abusive relationship.
• Legal hurdles in inheriting property increases their dependence which

increases their vulnerability to sexual exploitation.
GENDER BASED RESPONSE TO
HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC
• Promoting women participation at all levels. Moving away from
participation to decision making.
• Making gender a public issue through legal and legislative processes.
• Increased sensitivity and confidence when discussing gender sensitive
issues.
• Providing skills training in sexual communication.
• Support the development of female controlled methods of
prevention.
• Being sensitive to the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
CONT.
• Holding governments accountable. Several declarations made by the
UNGS in promoting gender equality. Implementing SDG no 5 on
promoting gender equality
REFERENCES
• Klaas.N.E, Thupayagale-Tshaneagoe.G, Makau. T.P. (2018). The role of
gender in the spread of HIV and AIDs among farm workers in South
Africa. Afri J Prm Health Care Fam Med 2018. 10. (1). A 1688.
• Turmen. T. (2000). Gender and HIV/AIDS. International Journal of
Gynecology and Obstetrics 82(2003) 411-418
• International Coalition on AIDS and Development(2000). HIV/AIDS
and Gender Issues
• WHO & UNAIDS (2000) The HIV/AIDS Pandemic and it’s Gender
Implications.WHO and UNAIDS. New York
REFERNCES
• Save the Children, ACORD & Actionaid.(2002). Gender and HIV/AIDS.
Guidelines for Integrating a Gender Focus into NGO work on HIV/AIDS.
Save the Children. London
• Achalu.D.I (2011). Gender Differnces in HIV and AIDS in Africa. The
role of social and Cultural Practices. Journal of Research in Education
and Society . 2 (1) 2011.
THANK YOU

TB Tlboc ESAqz QTly KTym 1726580821

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TB Tlboc ESAqz QTly KTym 1726580821

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

TB Tlboc ESAqz QTly KTym 1726580821

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GENDER AND HIV/AIDS

• What is sex? What is your sex?

• What is the difference between gender and sex?

Female submissiveness.-Predisposes women to sexual exploitation against their

Submission to sexual demand among women. Consent to sex among the

• Polygamy and wife sharing. Considered a norm in some cultures

• There are legal hurdles when it comes to emotive matters such as

• Legal hurdles in inheriting property increases their dependence which

You might also like