Plight of women and children affected by HIV/AIDS worsening - December 2009

By Wongai Zhangazha

Issues of major concern raised during World Aids Day in Zimbabwe were the worsening plight of children and women living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

According to the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey women constitute 54% of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country and HIV prevalence is higher among females aged 15-49 years (21,1%) than males (14,5%).

A study by the University of Zimbabwe recently put HIV as the number one cause of maternal deaths. 

100 children dying every day

A joint study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in a preliminary report titled "Multiple Indicator Monitoring Survey (MIMS) 2009" revealed that in the past five years 100 children less than five years of age are dying every day. This is a 20% increase from 1990, and HIV/AIDS tops the list as cause of death. Two thirds of children who are infected and urgently require ARVs are failing to access treatment. 

There is negligible coverage of HIV treatment for children in the critical first two years of life. Over 75% of a million orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in the country are not receiving any form of formal external support from government, private, religious, charity and community-based organisations.  

Why are women more infected?

Gladys Chiwome-Mudondo, advocacy manager for the  Woman and AIDS Support Network,  said there were biological and social reasons for the higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women. Chiwone-Mudondo said: “The first reason could be the biological make up of a woman in relation to the way organs are positioned in a woman’s body. If a woman has unprotected sex with a man she is more likely to be in more contact with the fluids than the man.”

“There are reasons to do with sex and sexuality. Very few women can make their own decisions - for example, deciding to use a condom during intercourse. There are also very few prevention devices for women. The female condom has proved unpopular due to poor marketing. Other issues have to do with poverty, which makes women more vulnerable.”

Positive results

However, Zimbabwe is seeing a decline in the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate over the past five years. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, HIV prevalence among adults (15-49 years) declined from 24.6% in 2003 to 20.1% in 2005, 18.6% in 2005/6, 15, 6% in 2007 and 13.7% in 2009 - the first such decline in Southern Africa.

• Read about an amazing group of soccer-playing women from Harare who are fighting the stigma around HIV/AIDS.