Domestic Violence and Poverty Block Treatment for Zambian Women
Some HIV-positive women in Zambia have a difficult time accessing AIDS drugs because of domestic violence and poverty, according to a new report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW). The Associated Press/International Herald Tribune reports the New York-based organization released the report based on interviews with 83 Zambian women (iht.com, 12/18).
The Zambian government has rolled out an aggressive treatment campaign; HIV/AIDS medications are offered for free in the country, and more than 93,000 people have been put on treatment. However, with 16 percent HIV prevalence in the country of 11.5 million people, many are still going without treatment, and the HRW cites sexual and domestic violence, poverty, stigma and gender imbalances as principal causes. These factors often mean that women are unable or too scared to go to clinics to access treatment, or are without the means to keep up a proper diet, which is essential for antiretrovial drugs to be effective.
"We would like to commend the way the Zambian government has actively dealt with HIV/AIDS treatment," said Nada Ali, the author of the report. "However, for many Zambian women, receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis might still be equivalent to a death sentence."
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Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
