Comments on: Mothers and HIV http://www.one.org/blog/2009/12/02/mothers-and-hiv/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:05:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: tino http://www.one.org/blog/2009/12/02/mothers-and-hiv/#comment-569699 tino Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:37:55 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=11342#comment-569699 In most African countries were patriachy and male prejudice are huge, evidence is showing that married women are the most at risk of HIV infection now, from their husbands. Single girls and women are no less vulnerable as the trend now is that there is a "shortage" of men so women do lots of crazy things to get and keep a man. Why? because culturally womens identity is that of 'wife' and 'mother', we do aspire to other things Yes but these 2 are the core and we would give a lot to be wife to someone and to mother children. Me thinks it time we engaged the men in this issue and also address the gender identity issue especially for African women, not because its their problem but because i am one so i know for others like me it is an issue definately. Honestly, if our men get more health conscious and stay HIV free or make effort to protect us from infection; that would be a lot of progress were i am from!!!! In most African countries were patriachy and male prejudice are huge, evidence is showing that married women are the most at risk of HIV infection now, from their husbands. Single girls and women are no less vulnerable as the trend now is that there is a “shortage” of men so women do lots of crazy things to get and keep a man. Why? because culturally womens identity is that of ‘wife’ and ‘mother’, we do aspire to other things Yes but these 2 are the core and we would give a lot to be wife to someone and to mother children.

Me thinks it time we engaged the men in this issue and also address the gender identity issue especially for African women, not because its their problem but because i am one so i know for others like me it is an issue definately. Honestly, if our men get more health conscious and stay HIV free or make effort to protect us from infection; that would be a lot of progress were i am from!!!!

]]> By: Caroline W. http://www.one.org/blog/2009/12/02/mothers-and-hiv/#comment-566550 Caroline W. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:51:33 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=11342#comment-566550 Dear Sydney, Thank you for reporting on the AIDs epidemic and specifically how it affects women. Addressing the gender gap in health care coverage is of the utmost importance as more families are becoming dependent on mothers to contribute to the family both economically and domestically. Perhaps expanding pre- and post natal care for HIV treatment icould be combined along with other needed services, such as those that could prevent fistulas resulting from childbirth. Having clinics in villages where they are needed will eliminate obstacles to women traveling such as lack of money or needing an escort. Sincerely, Caroline Dear Sydney,

Thank you for reporting on the AIDs epidemic and specifically how it affects women. Addressing the gender gap in health care coverage is of the utmost importance as more families are becoming dependent on mothers to contribute to the family both economically and domestically. Perhaps expanding pre- and post natal care for HIV treatment icould be combined along with other needed services, such as those that could prevent fistulas resulting from childbirth. Having clinics in villages where they are needed will eliminate obstacles to women traveling such as lack of money or needing an escort.

Sincerely,
Caroline

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