According to a study by the Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Aids Council, socio-economic, cultural and religious factors increase women’s vulnerability to the disease in Zimbabwe.
Despite the fact that the country has managed to maintain a steady decline in HIV prevalence from 32 percent in 2003 to the current 14.2 percent, women constitute 60 percent of the total infections.
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Olivia Muchena, said that along with stigma, discrimination of women affected by HIV and fear of violence from traditional practices put women at greater risk of contracting the disease.
“Several harmful cultural practices based on the notions of masculinity drive men to engage in sexual behaviour in a way that puts women and girls at risk,” says the study.
Muchena pointed to traditional practices such as polygamy, which is still being practiced either directly through formalized marriages or via “small houses” whereby a man has a secret wife, as some of the reasons that fuel the high incidence of infection among women.
She also pointed at ngozi (appeasing of an avenging spirit by giving away a girl child) and Chiramu in Ndebele Sibale (mock marriages where a young sister in-law can be fondled with possible intercourse as a result) as also one of the practices that drive up the levels of infection.
She said the payment of lobola (bride price) can reduce women’s ability to negotiate for safe sex within marriages as the woman feels that she was bought.
“Negative religious practices also contribute to putting women at risk. Some religious sects for instance promote early marriages of girls and young women to married men who are already in polygamous unions, putting the girls at risk of HIV exposure,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Agenda for the Accelerated Country Action of Women and Girls Gender Equality and HIV and AIDS seeks to address all the factors that increase the vulnerability of women and children through a more focused and sustainable action plan.
Post published in: News