AFRICA: AIDS crisis fuelled by gender inequality

JOHANNESBURG, 26 Nov 2003 (PLUSNEWS) - Women are the backbone of Africa's labour force but they are still more than twice as likely as men to contract HIV/AIDS, an international rights group said in a new report.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on HIV/AIDS in Africa, released ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December, details the link between gender laws in many African countries that favour men and contribute to an increased HIV prevalence among women and girls.

The report also suggested that women still had less access to health services and education than their male counterparts.

Joanne Csete, an HIV/AIDS director of HRW, said in a statement: "Women and girls are dying by the millions, partly because their second-class status makes them vulnerable."

HRW also called on African governments to abolish traditional practices that spread HIV infections. Among these were cleansing rituals where women are pressured to have sex with a village "cleanser" to rid them of evil spirits.

[ENDS]