Women, HIV and AIDS

At the end of 2007 it was estimated that out of the 30.8 million adults worldwide living with HIV and AIDS, around half are women1. It is suggested that 98 percent of these women live in developing countries2. The AIDS epidemic has had a unique impact on women, which has been exacerbated by their role within society and their biological vulnerability to HIV infection.
Generally women are at a greater risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV. Biologically women are twice more likely to become infected with HIV through unprotected heterosexual intercourse than men3. In many countries women are less likely to be able to negotiate condom use and are more likely to be subjected to non-consensual sex.
Additionally, millions of women have been indirectly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Women’s childbearing role means that they have to contend with issues such as mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The responsibility of caring for AIDS patients and orphans is also an issue that has a greater effect on women.
There are a number of things that can be done in order to reduce the burden of the epidemic among women. These include promoting and protecting women's human rights, increasing education and awareness among women and encouraging the development of new preventative technologies such as post-exposure prophylaxis and microbicides.