Home
About
About The Balm In Gilead
Founder
Board
Mission
Press Releases
Focus
HIV
Cervical Cancer
Health Disparities
Balm Global
Initiatives
National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
Our Faith Lights the Way!
OFLTW Partners
Denominational Leadership Health Initiative
Capacity Building Assistance Providers
The ISIS Project
Balm Global
Tools
Tool Kits
Faith Community Mobilization
Evidence Based Intervention
Faith-Based HIV Testing
Faith-Based Readiness Survey
Health Ministry Assessment
HIV Scriptural References
Faith-Based Organizational Development
Theology
Resources
Resource Materials
Calendar
Current News Articles
Press Clips
YouTube Gallery
Newsletter Signup
Shop Balm
Donate
Contact
The Balm in Gilead - Focus
HIV
Facts
US Facts
Tanzania Facts
Sub-Saharan Africa Facts
Caribbean Facts
Women, Girls & HIV
Global Facts
HIV and The Black Church
Learn About HIV
Glossary of Terms
Commonly Used Abbreviations
National HIV/AIDS Awareness Observances
Initiatives
Our Faith Lights The Way!
Faith Leaders Call To Action
Toolkit
In The News
National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
Visit The NWPHA Website
Capacity Building Assistance
Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Listing of Training and Technical Assistance
Request Forms
Current HIV News
National AIDS Strategy
Cervical Cancer
Facts
What Women Should Know About Cervical Cancer
10 Most Frequently Asked Questions
What the American Cancer Society Recommends
Cervical Cancer Statistics
Cervical Cancer Statistics By Race & Ethnicity
About Cervical Cancer
HPV and Cervical Cancer
About HPV
HPV Vaccine Information
Early Detection with Cervical Cancer Screening
Screening Test Results
Treatments
Insurance Coverage
Talking with your Doctor
Initiatives
The ISIS Project
National Spokesperson
ISIS The Egyptian Goddess
Spread The Word! Save A Sister!
Resources & Publications
Tamika & Friends
The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign
Black Women's Health Imperative
Current Cervical Cancer News
Health Disparities
Facts
Initiatives
Body & Soul Health Ministries
African American Denominational Leadership Health Initiative
History
Goals & Objectives
Resources
Healthy People 2020
Current Health Disparities News
Balm Global
Initiatives
Tanzania HIV/AIDS Interfaith Partnership
Our Philosophy
Country Profile
African Diaspora Faith Leaders HIV/AIDS Historical Summit
Programs
Abstinence and Be Faithful
Testing and Counseling
Orphans and Most Vulnerable Children
Home-Based Health Care
Major Accomplishments of OC/MLTW
Press
The Cup That Keeps on Giving
About
The Coffee
The Founder
Buy Now
Resources & Publications
Current News
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
WOMEN, GIRLS AND HIV
HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) worldwide
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of the people living with HIV are female (while women make up 50% of the global epidemic).
The proportion of women to men living with HIV in Asia rose from 19% in 2000 to 35% in 2008
In Southern Africa prevalence among young women aged 15-24 years is on average about three times higher than among men of the same age.
Experiencing violence increases the risk of HIV infection by a factor of three.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IS KEY DRIVER OF HIV EPIDEMIC
Up to 70% of women experience violence in their lifetime.
Country studies indicate that the risk of HIV among women who have experienced violence may be up to three times higher than among those who have not.
Women, fearing or experiencing violence, are less likely to negotiate for sex, go for HIV testing, share their HIV status and access treatment.
Forced sex increases the risk of HIV transmission due to tears and lacerations.
In South Africa a women was raped every minute.
South Africa also has the world’s largest number of people living with HIV: 5.5 million out of population of about 48 million.
SOCIETAL FACTORS THAT PUT WOMEN AT RISK
In some countries men are encouraged to have more than one sexual partner and it is common for older men to have sexual relations with much younger women.
In some settings, this contributes to a three times higher infection rate among young women (15-24 years) compared to young men.
Women are likely to face barriers in accessing HIV prevention, treatment and care services due to limited decision-making power, lack of control over financial resources, restricted mobility and child-care responsibilities.
Women and girls are often the primary care-givers in the family, including for those living with and affected by HIV, hindering their economic opportunities.
Many women lose their homes, inheritance, possessions, livelihoods and even their children when their partners die. This forces many women to adopt survival strategies that increase their chances of contracting and spreading HIV.
Early marriage is still common worldwide, with young girls often forced into marriage and sexual relations, causing health risks, including exposure to HIV.
In certain regions of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria, at least 40% of women are married before age 15.
EDUCATION
A lack of education can prevent women from accessing HIV information and services.
Only 38% of young women have accurate, comprehensive knowledge of HIV.
Lack of education affects millions of women and girls hindering their economic security.
Two thirds of the 110 millions of children not in school are girls.
Of the world’s 875 million illiterate adults, two thirds are women.
Illiterate women are four times more likely to believe there is no way to prevent HIV infection.
In Africa and Latin America, girls with higher levels of education tend to delay first sexual experience and are more likely to insist that their partner use a condom.
Source: UNAIDS
Home
About
About The Balm In Gilead
Founder
Board
Mission
Press Releases
Focus
HIV
Cervical Cancer
Health Disparities
Balm Global
Initiatives
National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
Our Faith Lights the Way!
OFLTW Partners
Denominational Leadership Health Initiative
Capacity Building Assistance Providers
The ISIS Project
Balm Global
Tools
Tool Kits
Faith Community Mobilization
Evidence Based Intervention
Faith-Based HIV Testing
Faith-Based Readiness Survey
Health Ministry Assessment
HIV Scriptural References
Faith-Based Organizational Development
Theology
Resources
Resource Materials
Calendar
Current News Articles
Press Clips
YouTube Gallery
Newsletter Signup
Shop Balm
Donate
Contact
