The Aids epidemic statistics are that women make up 50% of the population worldwide of those carrying the virus AIDS. Women also pass AIDS on to others more often; mostly because many are pregnant by the time they find out they are infected. When it comes to AIDS, women are at a higher risk for contracting the disease. Many women in developing countries do not have choices about their sexual partners or whether a condom is used to prevent AIDS. Women are often expected to do as they are told and they never make demands of their partners. In many cases, prostitution is forced upon women; HIV is wide spread in this profession.
Many men do not seem to be worried about the AIDS epidemic surrounding them. However, with most women, HIV is a major concern. Many would like the opportunity to protect themselves from AIDS; women however have little access to condoms or other protection.
In Sub Saharan Africa, girls are forced to participate in prostitution long before they have even grown into women. HIV is wide spread among these young girls. This AIDS epidemic is attacking the young people in these countries. Sexual abuse is another major problem facing young women. HIV is often passed on to young girls by men that abuse them. These girls often do not even know they have been exposed until they have grown into adulthood. HIV in these women has, by this time, turned in to full blown AIDS. Women later in life find that the horrors they endured as a child have come back to haunt them once again. This AIDS epidemic is not one that comes quickly; it can take years to know you have been exposed.
Many countries are not sure how to battle the AIDS epidemic. In order to stop the spread of AIDS, women would have to be given more rights to say what happens with their bodies. In most of these countries, culture or religion dictates that freedom or rights are not allowed for women. HIV will be spread until these beliefs change for women. HIV is a concern of many authorities. While governments are trying to step in and help these women, HIV is not something that can be monitored by force. This AIDS epidemic must be stopped by knowledge, not force. Most governments agree it is every individual’s choice to get tested, including the women. HIV testing however will not stop the spread of AIDS; women must be able to know the test results of their partners. The AIDS epidemic requires a sharing of information in order to be stopped.
The AIDS epidemic is going to require a major change in culture for women to stop it. The AIDS epidemic will also require many governments work together to raise funding and awareness. While the AIDS epidemic may not be stopped in a day, the hope that one day it will be a distant memory will remain.