HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: Rethinking Women's Vulnerabilities beyond the Biomedical Paradigm

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has emerged as a major bane of sustainable development in Africa. In addition to hindering further development, it is indeed turning back the hands of the clock. HIV/AIDS is, for Africa, much more than another medical problem as it creates hunger, illiteracy, and poverty and constitutes a security risk. These factors in turn augur well for further spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, bears 10% of the African burden of 28 million out of about 37 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. A growing concern is the disproportionate increase in the number of women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. This paper critically examines factors that promote the vulnerability of women to HIV infection under the patriarchal system in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria.


Key WordS:Human rights, HIV/AIDS, patriarchy.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.2(1) 2003: 1-6]