Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

670 Abstracts ThPeG8343-ThPeG8347

XIV International AIDS Conference

biased nature of care giving responsibilities in the households has further disempowered the already oppressed women. During the long term care giving the
women experience, unspeakable physical exhaustion, mental strain, economic
hardship, emotional and social deprivation.
Conclusions: At the time when formal health care services are failing to cope,
community based home care initiatives collapse, the women in the households
have never failed or collapsed. They persevere and endure with care giving even
with meagre resources and yet their contribution to health care services is not
acknowledged and valued by the government or society. Paradoxically the prejudiced and oppressed women are relied upon for care giving responsibilities. However, the danger is that the experience of long term care giving compromises their
health and the fact that a sick woman breeds a sick society.
Presenting author: Pauline Chabinga, Shawa, P.o. box 30434, Lusaka, Zambia,
Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8343 Vulnerability of Indian woman to HIV/AIDS due to
unjust social construction - a study on women in
Kolkata and outskirts
A. Majumdar. The Calcutta Samaritans, 6/3 Gopal Chatterjee RoadCossipore,
Calcutta, pin-700002, West Bengal, india, India
Issue: The risk among Indian women to get infected by HIV is high which is reflected by high rate of STD prevalence among them. This study aims to assess
the factors that lead Indian women to HIV/AIDS in terms of risk of infection as well
as at post infection stage.
Description: In India certain gender bias social norms, laws and practices which
lead Indian women to greater suppression increase their exposure to HIV infection and worsen their situation at post infection stage. The factors that increase
women's vulnerability to HIV infection are:
- Powerlessness of women to demand the right to practice safer sex.
- Gender bias myths regarding STD,like having sex with a 'virgin' can cure a man
suffering from STD.
- Misbelieve (certain symptoms of STD such as white discharge is the effect of
body heat or overwork etc) that prevent women to go for check-up.
The factors in post infection stage to increase women's vulnerability are:
- HIV/AIDS related research and drug trials are mostly men oriented.
- Gender bias post test counseling
- General standard of life of Indian women is lower than men.
- Hostility and stigma is more to a positive woman than positive men.
Lesson learned: Indian society still considers women as sources of infection and
vectors of prenatal transmission. But the fact is that the unjust gender construction increases women's vulnerability that is often invisible.
Recommendation: 1. More women concentrated research in India is needed.
2. Sensetization program in participation with community key informant and local
power group is necessary to minimize myths regarding sexuality, STD, HIV/AIDS
and gender bias ideas.Opinion leaders can be used to remove stigma and gender
unjust in relation to HIV/AIDS.
Presenting author: Aparna Majumdar, 6/3 Gopal Chatterjee Road, Cossipore,
Calcutta, pin-700002, West Bengal, india, India, Tel.: [phone]/+91 0
3352 83390, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
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ThPeG8344 The provision of post exposure prophylaxis for
survivors of sexual violence in South Africa
L. Gerntholtz. AIDS Law Project, AIDS Law Project, Centre for Applied Legal
Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa
Issues: South Africa has both an explosive HIV epidemic and extremely high levels of gender based sexual violence. Presently there is no national governmentsponsered policy in place to ensure that survivors of sexual violence have acces
to information about the risks of HIV infection following sexual assault and the
availability, risks and benefits of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). HIV services,
where available, have not been integrated into the services provided to survivors
of sexual violence at government facilties. HIV services are provided largely by
civil society organizations, with the exception of the Western Cape province where
HIV counseling and PEP services are part of a standard package of care and
treatment provided to survivors of sexual assault at government facilities.
Description: This paper will examine the role of the Greater Nelspruit Rape Intervention Project (GRIP) in providing survivors of sexual assault access to information about HIV and PEP services in the Mpumalanga province. It will analyse
the difficulties experienced by GRIP in providing an adequate standard of care
to survivors in the face of strong state opposition. It will then compare this to the
services offered by the Western Cape, which has developed a comprehensive
protocol for the treatment of survivors of sexual violence at government hospitals.
This includes access to HIV counseling and testing and PEP services.
Lessons learned: A successful and accessible programme of care for survivors

must include information and counseling on the risks of HIV tranmission and the
availability of PEP. It requires the support of government and access to the use
of state resources. In their absence, programmes run by civil society acn be only
partially successful and care and treatment for survivors will be compromised.
Recommendation: A programme of lobbying and mobilisation of civil society to
ensure government's commitment to the provision of adequate services.

Presenting author: Liesl Gerntholtz, AIDS LAw Project, Centre for Applied Legal
Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8345 Impact of social demographic factors on gender
based approach in HIV prevention: a case study
F.M. Nakayima. interviewer, Makerere university, medical school, po box 7072,
kampala, Uganda
Objectives: (1) To determine whether lack of financial independence plays a role
in HIV Seroconversion. (2) To evaluate the role played by culture in HIV Seroconversion of women. (3) To asses the role played by partner testing in HIV prevention.
Method: A Qualitative analysis of files for those clients who were screened and
found to be positive at first screening; and those for the Seroconverters. Plus the
review of counselling reports for those clients.
Findings: It was found that issues such as economic dependency, discordence,
cultural dictations on women (surbodination) are leading factors responsible for
HIV Seroconversion.
Recommendations: (1) There is need for sustained HIV/AIDS education and the
couple approach should be taken on in HIV counselling and testing (together).
(2) Women need to be empowered to break social cultural ties that render them
vulnerable and; culture and norms should be addressed. (3) Economic issues
should be addressed to help especially women address their financial problems
by supporting and encouraging them start income generative activities.
Presenting author: Flavia Nakayima, Makerere university, medical school, po
box 7072, kampala, Uganda, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeG8346I Sex workers' intervention at Faridpur: rise from
'ashes'
M.D. Mahtabul Hakim1, D.R. Prodyut Kumar Saha2. 1HIV/AIDS and STD
Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh; 2Shapla Mohila Sangstha
(SMS), Faridpur, Bangladesh
Issues: Female sex workers of Bangladesh are placed to a very isolated corner
in the society. This was revealed in a need assessment of Female Sex Workers
(FSWs) of two brothels of Faridpur City by Shapla Mohila Sangstha (SMS) a partner organization of HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB) on 1998.
However, the situation began to change after the intervention by SMS.
Description: SMS has been working involving 600 FSWs of two brothels at Faridpur city SMS using theatre based approach -with the support of another organization named TREE- become able to unite FSWs. Advocacy activities have made
an enabling environment to get administrative support in need. SMS is also covering clients in STD treatment and counseling. Participatory process has been
maintained all over the program management.
Lessons Learned: They become able to make some significant changes in prevailing situations of both inside and outside brothels. Usually sex workers who
were sold to house owners were treated as bonded, which may never come into
an end. Because, the system would never allow them to pay 'their price'. They
became also subjected by 'babu's in return of mysterious emotional attachment.
SMS intervention directly influenced to change the situation. Sex workers are now
empowered enough to argue for their basic rights. Few years ago SW's were not
even allowed to come out from brothel premise, now their mobility is unrestricted.
Peer education activity enables them to learn about STD, HIV and sexual health.
Recommendations: here is a great need to focus on brothel born children, in the
chained mechanism girls become SWs and boys turned to be pimps as they grow
up. To make the intervention holistic, mechanism on alternative income generation also need to develop as most of the reference population do not wish to stay
in sex trade.
Presenting author: mahtabul hakim, hiv/aids and std alliance bangladesh
(hasab), 19/10 pallabi, mirpur-12, dhaka-1216, Bangladesh, Tel.: +880 2
8011686, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8347 Addressing Male Gender and Sexual Health in India
A. Srivastava. YAAR, 323/B, J&K Pocket, Dilshad Garden, Delhi - 110 095, India
Issues: The gender and Sexual roles of men, known as 'masculinity' exert numerous pressures on men affecting their physical, mental, emotional, social and
sexual health. The pressures are especially acute during adolescence. Addressing these pressures can have dramatic positive influence on male health and
behavior, particularly sexual health (incl. regarding HIV/AIDS). This is also the
only way to ensure male involvement in women's health & rights.
Description: YAAR has conducted four 5-days workshops with men on the issues
of Male Gender and Sexual health. The last two workshops were with adolescent

boys - a total of 58 boys aged 16 - 18 yrs.
The workshops aimed at empowering the adolescent boys through sensitization,
information, sharing experiences, skill-building exercises and building a supportive environment. The workshop consisted of exercises, lectures, games, focus
group discussions, role-plays, sharing experiences & secret voting.
The issues covered ranged from the Gender and Sexual roles of men (in the
Indian context) and how they harm them, how these are enforced, the Peer