Married Women Are Among Most Vulnerable To HIV

In the face of gender inequality, married women are among most vulnerable to HIV
A lively debate at ICAAP last Wednesday 22 August ended in the conclusion that in countries with high levels of gender inequality, such as Papua New Guinea, the ABC approach on its own - Abstinence, Be Faithful and Condoms - is ineffective in reducing HIV infection.

'Contributing factors which undermine abstinence include high levels of sexual violence against women and young girls, incest, and sex under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as the demands of daily living costs forcing women into commercial sex and extramarital sex,' said Kritoe Jinn Keleba of the PNG Institute of Medical Research at the session 'Identity in Gender and Sexuality'.
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