April 7, 2008

Linking Women's Rights and Sexual Health

In an opinion piece published April 4, Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson calls for improved rights for women and girls in developing countries, whom he says are often victims of HIV/AIDS stigma, property theft, domestic violence and sexual abuse (washingtonpost.com, 4/4).

Gerson notes that while organizations such as the International Justice Mission (IJM) work to provide legal assistance to women and young girls, cultural barriers allow gender disparities to thrive. He cites a World Bank report that found that more than two-thirds of women in the developing world have at some point been beaten or forced into sex.

According to Gerson, IJM workers in Zambia have found that a large number of young girls continue to fall victim to a myth that sex with a virgin is a cure for HIV/AIDS. While physical evidence of the rapes is present in many cases, Gerson writes, “police are often indifferent, hostile or corrupt; judges and prosecutors view rape and abuse as lesser offenses; lawyers who take such cases are either unaffordable or unavailable.” Once in the courtroom, he says, young girls are often not allowed to testify, and DNA testing is never performed.

Gerson suggests improved education and economic empowerment for girls so they can learn their rights and earn a living on their own.

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