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Women, and Gender

Posted by sathulu on March 3, 2008

WOMEN, GIRLS AND HIV/AIDS

Women, girls and HIV/AIDS why we talk about women and girls it’s because they are very vulnerable people when it comes to these issues.

This is because women and girls fear the pandemic, HIV/AIDS is not just a purely health problem for women but among other, a gender and human rights issues. My article seeks to give an overview of this perspective woman and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV, with about half of all infection worldwide occurring among them are these.

The vulnerability is due to these facts I outline

1.     Inadequate knowledge about AIDS

2.     Insufficient access to HIV prevention services

3.     Inability to negotiate safer sex and lack of female control on HIV prevention methods, such as moicrobicides a research which is still taking place in Zambia. We are still waiting for clinically trials which are yet to be seen

When we talk about gender we should understand the meaning of gender?

What is gender?

(a) The sexual division into male and female their shouldn’t be no discrimination according to male or female both be equal.

Biologically, the risk of HIV infection during unprotected vaginal intercourse is two to four times higher for women than men. This is because women have a bigger surface area of mucosa exposed to their partners sexual secretions during intercourse. Semen also contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal secration.also, semen can stay in the vaginal for hours after intercourse. Women therefore are inherently at greater risk than men of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted with an infected partner this is scientiftly proofed .

Why focus on women and girls on gender, most African governments, the business sectors and religious communities have begun working together effective intervention strategies to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. Women by virtue of being natural careers, tend to be the chief implementers of these interventions. Capacity building in mitigation is an empowerment tool they need to ensure infection does not spread and care is administered safely without prejudicing the women’s own health. Programmers for women’s empowerment need to focus on situations where culture traditions fuel HIV infections ,these are reasons why issues of gender should be looked on gender on the side of women and girls because all guilt and many challenges.

Grief and in some instances guilt, are challenges most women face when confronted with their HIV- infected newborn babies. It is therefore important that women know more about making informed choices on child bearing, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding of their infants when living with HIV. Most countries in southern Africa have effective’s prevention of parents to child transmission programmers, which women can employ, only if they have adequately education about them. I talked to a lady in Congo DRC named Ruth and she had this to say

“, women in Congo and Africa at large are told not to talk about issues of sex in public even when you are being raped in your house. this is a taboo in African tradition but these days we are getting enlightened reason because of the radio we have in the market but still is not doing much because women in Congo DRC and Africa at large don’t support each other and this is the animal which is killing us has women and the women in higher position are using their powers wrongly and just want to be supported if the want to be voted back in to their sites “,

The shame of getting HIV positive results has often led many women to choose not to disclose or even seek assistance such as counseling and treatment. This doesn’t matter on the education of the women even if she is carrying a degree on her back or not educated they all think the same at the end of that day .

Appropriate HIV and AIDS education equips women with adequate knowledge on how to prevent further infection as well as positive living and treatment of opportunistic infection. Women need to learn that testing HIV positive does not too late to negotiate safer sex in their relationship to avoid further re – infection.

There should be basic health precautions: the use of gloves when bathing or dressing wounds, thorough washing of utensils used and ensuring a clean environment are some of the measure of the caregivers.

Instances where an injection has to be administered, care should be taken to ensure the caregiver does not get pricked. in the event of such an accident, medication known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) would need to be administered, would need to be administered within 72 hours of the mishap. Should one be caring for an infected partner, safer sex should be practiced such as the use of condoms?

Effective challenging of traditional rituals that put community members at risk. The washing of corpses (usually by women) as a means of bidding farewell is common in most communities in southern Africa. It is becoming increasing popular in some communities to wear gloves while washing a corpse, through in some areas funerals parlous have taken up his role advocacy campaigns against wife inheritance contribute in lessening the spread of HIV.

However the traditional concept of caring for the deceased family can be done without invoking sexual intimacy.

Protection of children from sexual abuse. This is essential in dispelling the many myths that have resulted in the abuse and in most instances, HIV infection of minors, particularly girls. Empowering the girl child with knowledge of HIV and AIDS and encouraging dialogue contributes to mitigation advocating for the empowerment of the girl child against gender injustices helps in creating a non- threatening environment, safe from inadvertent HIV infections.

Gender and Human Rights in 1993 vienna declaration and program me of action state that the human rights of women and of girl – child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. It has since been acknowledged that violence against women hinders them from achieving the objectives of equality, development and peace. It is also according to the 1995 beijing declaration and platform for action, barrier to  the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women are, according the Millennium Development Goals, effective ways of combating poverty, hunger and disease and stimulating sustainable development.

Gender – based violence and the fear of violence affect women’s ability to prevent transmission of HIV and compromise their access to a range of services, including testing and treatment. Women also often experience further violence once they are or perceived to be infected.

 

 

 

WOMEN, GIRLS AND HIV/AIDS

Women, girls and HIV/AIDS why we talk about women and girls it’s because they are very vulnerable people when it comes to these issues.

This is because women and girls fear the pandemic, HIV/AIDS is not just a purely health problem for women but among other, a gender and human rights issues. My article seeks to give an overview of this perspective woman and girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV, with about half of all infection worldwide occurring among them are these.

The vulnerability is due to these facts I outline

1.     Inadequate knowledge about AIDS

2.     Insufficient access to HIV prevention services

3.     Inability to negotiate safer sex and lack of female control on HIV prevention methods, such as moicrobicides a research which is still taking place in Zambia. We are still waiting for clinically trials which are yet to be seen

When we talk about gender we should understand the meaning of gender?

What is gender?

(a) The sexual division into male and female their shouldn’t be no discrimination according to male or female both be equal.

Biologically, the risk of HIV infection during unprotected vaginal intercourse is two to four times higher for women than men. This is because women have a bigger surface area of mucosa exposed to their partners sexual secretions during intercourse. Semen also contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal secration.also, semen can stay in the vaginal for hours after intercourse. Women therefore are inherently at greater risk than men of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted with an infected partner this is scientiftly proofed .

Why focus on women and girls on gender, most African governments, the business sectors and religious communities have begun working together effective intervention strategies to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. Women by virtue of being natural careers, tend to be the chief implementers of these interventions. Capacity building in mitigation is an empowerment tool they need to ensure infection does not spread and care is administered safely without prejudicing the women’s own health. Programmers for women’s empowerment need to focus on situations where culture traditions fuel HIV infections ,these are reasons why issues of gender should be looked on gender on the side of women and girls because all guilt and many challenges.

Grief and in some instances guilt, are challenges most women face when confronted with their HIV- infected newborn babies. It is therefore important that women know more about making informed choices on child bearing, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding of their infants when living with HIV. Most countries in southern Africa have effective’s prevention of parents to child transmission programmers, which women can employ, only if they have adequately education about them. I talked to a lady in Congo DRC named Ruth and she had this to say

“, women in Congo and Africa at large are told not to talk about issues of sex in public even when you are being raped in your house. this is a taboo in African tradition but these days we are getting enlightened reason because of the radio we have in the market but still is not doing much because women in Congo DRC and Africa at large don’t support each other and this is the animal which is killing us has women and the women in higher position are using their powers wrongly and just want to be supported if the want to be voted back in to their sites “,

The shame of getting HIV positive results has often led many women to choose not to disclose or even seek assistance such as counseling and treatment. This doesn’t matter on the education of the women even if she is carrying a degree on her back or not educated they all think the same at the end of that day .

Appropriate HIV and AIDS education equips women with adequate knowledge on how to prevent further infection as well as positive living and treatment of opportunistic infection. Women need to learn that testing HIV positive does not too late to negotiate safer sex in their relationship to avoid further re – infection.

There should be basic health precautions: the use of gloves when bathing or dressing wounds, thorough washing of utensils used and ensuring a clean environment are some of the measure of the caregivers.

Instances where an injection has to be administered, care should be taken to ensure the caregiver does not get pricked. in the event of such an accident, medication known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) would need to be administered, would need to be administered within 72 hours of the mishap. Should one be caring for an infected partner, safer sex should be practiced such as the use of condoms?

Effective challenging of traditional rituals that put community members at risk. The washing of corpses (usually by women) as a means of bidding farewell is common in most communities in southern Africa. It is becoming increasing popular in some communities to wear gloves while washing a corpse, through in some areas funerals parlous have taken up his role advocacy campaigns against wife inheritance contribute in lessening the spread of HIV.

However the traditional concept of caring for the deceased family can be done without invoking sexual intimacy.

Protection of children from sexual abuse. This is essential in dispelling the many myths that have resulted in the abuse and in most instances, HIV infection of minors, particularly girls. Empowering the girl child with knowledge of HIV and AIDS and encouraging dialogue contributes to mitigation advocating for the empowerment of the girl child against gender injustices helps in creating a non- threatening environment, safe from inadvertent HIV infections.

Gender and Human Rights in 1993 vienna declaration and program me of action state that the human rights of women and of girl – child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. It has since been acknowledged that violence against women hinders them from achieving the objectives of equality, development and peace. It is also according to the 1995 beijing declaration and platform for action, barrier to  the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women are, according the Millennium Development Goals, effective ways of combating poverty, hunger and disease and stimulating sustainable development.

Gender – based violence and the fear of violence affect women’s ability to prevent transmission of HIV and compromise their access to a range of services, including testing and treatment. Women also often experience further violence once they are or perceived to be infected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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AFRICAN WOMEN NEED LEGAL PROTECTION FOR WOMEN

Posted by sathulu on February 26, 2008

AFRICAN WOMEN NEED LEGAL PROTECTION FOR WOMEN

The high level of gender – based violence in Africa is preventing many women from accessing HIV/AIDS services according to a new report by Global Human Rights Watch.

The researchers warned that the ability of African women to get HIV/AIDS counseling testing and information has been “seriously impaired by the perceived and real control of men {particularly intimate partners} over their lives.

Hidden in the mealie meal gender based abuses and women’s HIV treatment in Africa Congo DRC AND Zambia it was found that many women were taking life – prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) medication with out informing their husband and were forced to resort to extreme measures to hide their medication.

Some of the women testified that thy dug toles in the ground or a flowerpots to hide ARV’s these women then retrieved the medicine which they must take for the rest of their lives twice everyday and then hid it again “said the report, which documented various abuses that obstruct Africa women’s ability to start and adhere to HIV treatment regimens.

According to UNAIDS, about 1.6 million of the 11.7 million population are HIV positive 57 percent of them women. But only 100,000 people are receiving ARV’s from the governments free treatment programme.

Congo DRC and Zambia which has one the world higher HIV/AIDS infections rates has set ambitious targets for rapidly scaling up HIV/AIDS treatment as part of its commitment of ensuring universal access of AIDS treatment by 2010 but researchers say women’s unequal status will greatly undermine the success of the programmers’.

Ignoring gender issues

“Government is paying little attention to gender dimension of treatment, especially the impact of entrenched discrimination and gender – based violence and abuse. This must change if HIV treatment is to be provided equitably.

I asked a woman who refused to be named and this is what she said”

I fear to tell my husband {about my HIV STATUS} because I fear that he can shout {at me} and divorce me he uses bad language with me.

“ I hide the medicine, I put it on a plate add mealie (maize meal) so when he takes the lid off he medicine l have to make sure that he is out side, has a result of such.

That is why l forgot to take medicine four times since l started treatment last year he hit me around the back with his fist”,

The kind of treatment is pulling down development in Africa and with the way things are going on African countries wont reach the MDG’s by 2010.

So we beg the women in the high position to proved such service and voice out of the African women legal protection for the African countries to reach the MDG’s

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HIV/AIDS AND TREATMENT ALONGSIDE SCIENCE IN ZAMBIA(RESEARCH)

Posted by sathulu on February 26, 2008

HIV/AIDS AND TREATMENT ALONGSIDE SCIENCE IN ZAMBIA(RESEARCH)

Based on the knowledge grained from the scientists and the people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) about treatment of HIV/AIDS with the drug called Antiretroviral (ARV)

Science has shown that people with the HIV/AIDS often become more frustrated with the management of the disease many are willing to try anything with the hope of staying healthy and living longer.

What is HIV/AIDS

Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) causes infections in the humans science has shown it and proofed it. It passes from one person to another through semen vaginal fluid, blood or breast milk. The most common way to get infected with HIV/AIDS is through unprotected sexual intercourse, HIV can also be transmitted(passed to another person) through injections , needles or blades that have been used on another person with HIV.Babies can get infected in the womb during birth or through the breast milk in their mother’s who has the virus. The does not happen every time soothe baby of an HIV positive mother might be HIV negative with the help of the clinical trials that care on going already introduced which is Prevent of mother – to –child transmission done with the help of the drug called antiretroviral drugs.

There are types in HIV, investigations have been and clinical trials where done and under taken and they showed to be two types these are HIV type one and HIV type two.

At first, HIV infection does not make a person very ill. He/ she may continue to have a healthy life for some months or many years sciencfity after eight years.

Medically it say’s that antibodies to be destroyed there should be eight years for someone to start indicating sign’s.

After some time person’s with HIV may start to lose a lot of weight, feel very tired and be unable  to do all their usually daily activities. Illnesses also start to happen especially infections such as tuberculosis (TB) herpes zoster (shingles) and other skin or chest infections these are called opportunistic infection – the effects of HIV on the immune system provides opportunities for these infection attack……

If people with AIDS do not get treatment they will gradually become very ill and are likely to die science has shown that their immune system can not with stand pressure of other opportunities infections that’s why they die easily.

Science shows if a person whose HIV positive develops to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) scientifly that person system has become weak and cannot repair or defend the body in the usual ways that keep humans healthy.

What Does a person with HIV Need

A person with HIV needs a lot of support psychosocial and economically, this should be done through their community, family and doctors. Treatment for people with HIV (PLWHA) should be comprehensive. This was medically proofed by the medical works in the biggest hospital in Zambia called university teaching hospital (UTH) which is based in the capital city of ZAMBIA the town called Lusaka.

 

What treatment is possible for a person with HIV

A person with HIV can get different kinds of treatment, both for the illnesses caused by HIV and for fighting the virus itself.thr simplest treatment is to make sure that a person with HIV can always get good food  that contain components of micronutrients, macronutrients and fibre.

Medical has shown a result that a person with HIV needs frequently medical checks ups due to the opportunistic illness such has TB, skin or chest infections.

HIV infection itself can be treated with the drug they are called antiretroviral (ARV) they reduce the effects of the virus and enable a person to become healthy again but they do not completely cure HIV infection .

 

 

What is ARV Treatment

Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment is for HIV infection that includes using drugs that interfere with the way that HIV virus reproduces in the body.

Zambia has come up with a different treatment which is going on clinical trials at the centre of excellence which has been funded by the ministry of health. This is the crocodile fat which has sciencfity and medical be tested and it’s being tested. The antibodies that are found in the crocodile are fighting the HIV virus and the people living with HIV (PLWHA) who are on these clinical trials  have showed a good indication . With is kind of science may be one day we will lend to the cure.

 

Mary Sathulu

HIV/AIDS REPORTER

Freelance/ journalist

 

 

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Condom Tree

Posted by sathulu on January 23, 2008

CONDOM TREE PROMOTES HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

AIDS is a serious killer these days, l will fight the bull by its horns when it comes to awareness.

Papua New Guinea has reached epidemic proportions.

A UNAIDS report released on the 21 November 2005 says since 1997 HIV diagnoses have increased by 30 percent each year. By using condoms people can protect themselves from the disease but how do they obtain them easily. People had to say this when asked about the condom tree “Jonas had to say she’s saying condoms are easily found but the manner they have being distributed is very frustrating where by you are in a chemist and there are a lot of people you cant just buy ,reason because they will think you like sex so much it’s just a mind set of an individual that’s how its made. hospital’s also are very humiliating because when the medical people give you and say you should use condoms because you are sexually active and its not suppose to be like that so has a result we kill our selves because we fight with our mind sets so the promotion of the condom tree is a good thing because one could just pick up the condom at any time one wants this is all l have to say has Jonas a person from Papua new guinea.

A support group in Guinea has come up with “what” they are calling condom tree, condoms now come on trees.

Dispensing boxes are nailed to the trees allowing people to pick up condoms anytime. The so called condom tree is helping a lot of people because , condoms are at people’s dispose any time. This tree is helping to protecting freely available time for anyone, which is very important if worldwide had this project it would make HIV/AIDS free and would reach the MDG by 2015 . this is a very good HIV/AIDS awareness if countries could share ideas this would be a better world to live in HIV/AIDS free .

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Hello world!

Posted by sathulu on January 2, 2008

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

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