UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Why women are more vulnerable
With an alarming 5.206 million people
(IMPORTANT: footnote on revision of estimates in July 2007) in the 15-49 age group, infected with HIV in India (National Aids Control Organisation,India - An Update 2006), the HIV epidemic is now affecting the general population including even those who may not exhibit "high risk" behaviors and are monogamous. Amongst this category primarily - are women.
The
feminization of HIV occurs when more and more women get infected with the virus by merely being partner of those who transmit the virus. They are often unaware of their "at risk" situations. Women are also affected by HIV (indirectly) by being the primary care givers of those who are infected with the virus. The feminization of the epidemic is particularly dangerous since this may have a bearing on the children born of mothers who are HIV+.
Women are generally more vulnerable to HIV because:
Their physiology accounts for them being easy "receptors" of HIV virus and other Infection like STIs.
As partners of substance users, they may contract the virus through unsafe sex with an infected partner (especially injecting drug users).
They do not possess the necessary knowledge and skills to safeguard themselves from HIV.
Lack of skills for negotiating safe sex.
Their dependence (economic and social) on men, make them less likely to leave abusive partnership/relationship/marriages.
In social upheavals, calamities, war like situation they are prime target of sexual abuse/ violence and rape.
Whilst being vulnerable to sex trade and trafficking they are caught in situation of bondage.
