Women: facing up to HIV in Europe
AIDES* has therefore brought 50 women together from 20 European countries as part of the AIDS ACTION & INTEGRATION projects to draw up an “inventory” and put forward a common argument.
Representatives of thirty European associations attending the “Women and HIV in Europe” colloquium held in Paris in December 2005 were able, in an initial session that was confidential and free of all prejudice, to share their experiences and talk about women’s status in their respective countries. They then identified the measures that they would like to see adopted by the international institutions and organisations involved in health programmes.
Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV (cf. boxed article opposite) and now account for 40% of the people infected (23% in 2000). Prevention and information programmes should be given greater support by Member States or the EU. However, many governments, especially in central and eastern Europe, give very little financial support to their associations, and this has plunged them into an unprecedented crisis.
The workshops that closed the seminar led to the joint signature of recommendations common to the associations represented. A document written in three languages, “Women: facing up to HIV – A call for action” was circulated throughout Europe. In particular, it emphasised the need to increase research efforts into the specific needs of women and the importance of supporting local associative action over the long term.
Representatives of thirty European associations attending the “Women and HIV in Europe” colloquium held in Paris in December 2005 were able, in an initial session that was confidential and free of all prejudice, to share their experiences and talk about women’s status in their respective countries. They then identified the measures that they would like to see adopted by the international institutions and organisations involved in health programmes.
Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV (cf. boxed article opposite) and now account for 40% of the people infected (23% in 2000). Prevention and information programmes should be given greater support by Member States or the EU. However, many governments, especially in central and eastern Europe, give very little financial support to their associations, and this has plunged them into an unprecedented crisis.
The workshops that closed the seminar led to the joint signature of recommendations common to the associations represented. A document written in three languages, “Women: facing up to HIV – A call for action” was circulated throughout Europe. In particular, it emphasised the need to increase research efforts into the specific needs of women and the importance of supporting local associative action over the long term.
* seminar mainly financed by the European Commission SANCO Directorate, The Open Society Institute, GSK Positive Action (via AAE) and AIDES.
Women, more vulnerable
Biological factors
During unprotected sexual intercourse, women run a greater risk of being contaminated:
• sperm contains more viruses than vaginal secretions and remain inside the genital organs for several days;
• microbes pass through into the organism via the mucous membranes: the membranes in the female sexual organs cover a larger area and are weakened: during the menstrual period; after giving birth; in the presence of STD; in young and menopausal women; during the first act of sexual intercourse, or during unwanted, forced and violent sex.
Socio-economic, cultural and legal factors
• Financial dependence and lack of security may lead women to have sexual intercourse in exchange for food, accommodation, money, etc...
• Physical and mental violence, or the fear of suffering it, religious and social pressure... reduce women’s ability to negotiate unprotected sexual intercourse and hinder their access to treatment.
• sperm contains more viruses than vaginal secretions and remain inside the genital organs for several days;
• microbes pass through into the organism via the mucous membranes: the membranes in the female sexual organs cover a larger area and are weakened: during the menstrual period; after giving birth; in the presence of STD; in young and menopausal women; during the first act of sexual intercourse, or during unwanted, forced and violent sex.
Socio-economic, cultural and legal factors
• Financial dependence and lack of security may lead women to have sexual intercourse in exchange for food, accommodation, money, etc...
• Physical and mental violence, or the fear of suffering it, religious and social pressure... reduce women’s ability to negotiate unprotected sexual intercourse and hinder their access to treatment.
