Addressing the Link between Gender Inequality and Access to Microbicides in HIV/AIDS Response in Africa
African Journal of International and Comparative Law, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 197-218, 2008
Posted: 21 Dec 2009
Date Written: December, 21 2009
Abstract
This article examines the importance of microbicides in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS to women and advancing their sexual and reproductive health. It similarly, examines how ensuring women’s access to the use of microbicides can provide a veritable tool for empowering them and enabling them to exercise their reproductive autonomy and take charge of their life. The article argues that empowerment of women is sine qua non to their ability to negotiate safer sex and take full charge of their sexual and reproductive health needs. Additionally, the article reviews likely obstacles to women’s access to microbicides use in Africa such as socio-cultural factors, economic factors, lack of access to information and physical availability of the products. It then suggests ways by which African governments can respond to these challenges in a manner that will advance the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The article concludes that unless African governments recommit themselves to their obligations under human rights instruments and various declarations and consensus statements regarding the promotion and protection of women’s rights, attempts at curbing the spread of the epidemic in the region will amount to a charade.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, women, microbicides, sexual and reproductive rights
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