title: Gender inequality dynamics in the prevention of a heterosexual HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: This paper critiques the approach to the elimination of gender inequality as an HIV prevention strategy in the just ended era of the Millennium Development Goals, with the aim of contributing to the formulation of policy guidelines for sub-Saharan Africa in the Sustainable Development Goals. The aim is to underscore the mutual responsibility of women and men in achieving a sustainable HIV response and ending the epidemic. While taking into account the real vulnerability of women, prevention programmes can reflect gender dynamics more accurately so that attention is given to the role of both sexes in propagating - or stemming - a predominantly heterosexual HIV epidemic. More emphasis could be given to the harm caused to both men and women by certain norms related to masculinity and sexuality, and the subsequent need for combined efforts in reducing intimate partner violence and concurrency. The empowerment and engagement of both women and men as agents of change would need to be dealt with more creatively.
authors.affiliation: a School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wathuta
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
keywords: Concurrent sexual partnerships; HIV risk behaviour; gender empowerment; gender stereotypes; gender vulnerability; intimate partner violence (IPV)