People are particularly affected in sub-Saharan countries such as Kenya and Uganda: no less than 83 percent of HIV infections occur in this part of Africa. Young women bear the greatest burden. Although they only make up 10 percent of the population, they carry a quarter of the infections. According to director Mark Vermeulen of the Aidsfonds, this is mainly due to the lack of information and contraceptives.
Use of condoms
The UNAIDS report emphasizes that gender inequality makes women more likely to be victims of HIV infection. Because of poverty, women are more dependent on men.
“Some women are in the position that they have no choice but to have sex with a fisherman to get food,” says Vermeulen. “In such a situation, there is absolutely no control over condom use.”
Extra danger in rape
In addition, women are much more likely to experience sexual violence. “When a woman is raped, she is completely in no position to ask if the man can put on a condom,” says Vermeulen.
A woman is then, because of injuries she can sustain during a rape, as much as 50 percent more likely to be infected with HIV.
access to medicines
Just like the contraceptive pill, the HIV prevention pill can be taken daily to reduce the risk of HIV. This is already widely used in Kenya. In addition, Vermeulen hopes that the prevention ring will soon be approved as a medicine. “This is a ring that women insert vaginally. This is not necessary during intercourse, but can also be done in their own private sphere. This way you give a woman much more control.”
The Aidsfonds works together with partners in Kenya, among others, to make medicines more readily available. In addition, they support projects that mainly support female health workers to make better information and prevention resources available.