HIV affects people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. However, women face unique challenges when it comes to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. For International Women’s Day, we're exploring some key facts and statistics that illustrate the intersectional complexity women face worldwide.
Women account for almost half of all people living with HIV worldwide
According to UNAIDS, women account for almost half of all people living with HIV globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, which is the region most heavily affected by the HIV epidemic, women account for around 60% of all people living with HIV.
Women in this region are particularly vulnerable to HIV due to a combination of factors, including gender inequality, poverty, and limited access to healthcare and education.
One of the main routes of HIV transmission for women is through heterosexual sex. Women are at greater risk of contracting HIV from their male partners due to biological factors such as vaginal tearing and hormonal changes during menstruation.
There are also social factors like gender-based violence and lack of control over sexual decision-making.
HIV also disproportionately affects certain subgroups of women, such as sex workers, transgender women, and women who inject drugs. These women face additional barriers to accessing HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services, and often experience stigma and discrimination from healthcare providers and society at large.
HIV prevention is a complex issue that requires an approach that’s mindful of the intersectional challenges that women face. One important strategy is to give women the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe from HIV. This includes promoting condom use, encouraging regular HIV testing, and providing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at high risk of HIV.
True progress in the global public health response to HIV in women cannot be made without addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to HIV vulnerability among women. This means promoting gender equality, addressing systemic racism and economic inequality, and providing access to education and healthcare services.
Women face unique challenges when it comes to HIV treatment as well.
For example, women living with HIV may experience different side effects from antiretroviral therapy than men and may require different dosages or medications. Women may also face challenges adhering to ART due to caregiving responsibilities, stigma and discrimination, and other social and economic factors.
Furthermore, women living with HIV are at increased risk of developing other health conditions such as triple-negative breast cancer, which can complicate treatment and care. Because of this, it is important to give women living with HIV a full range of health services that are tailored to their needs.
Despite these challenges, there’s reason for hope. In recent years, there has been significant progress in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment worldwide. The global HIV incidence rate has decreased by 23% since 2010, and more people than ever before are accessing life-saving HIV treatment.
If the global community truly want to make progress in the fight against HIV, it is essential to prioritize the unique needs of all women: black women, Latinx women, transwomen, and other marginalized groups. This means investing in research and innovation that addresses the unique challenges faced by women in relation to HIV, and making a commitment to providing targeted resources and support that empower women to take control of their health and well-being.
Anyone living with HIV will face adversity, but it’s necessary to recognize that the global epidemic affects women in unique ways. Women account for almost half of all people living with HIV worldwide and face barriers of oppression that complicate their access to life-saving HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. If we prioritize the needs of women and implement a comprehensive, intersectional approach to HIV prevention and care, we can continue to make real progress in the fight against this disease.
SOURCES