Gender Discrimination and HIV-Related Exposures and Risk Factors for Women

Virendra Singh, Independent Consultant
Anchal Rajwi

The aim of this study is to examine how gender and power imbalances can be extended and elaborated upon to identify the exposures and risk factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV. There are mainly two types of gender based inequities in our society-DIVISION OF LABOUR & DIVISION OF POWER. The DIVISION OF LABOUR refers to the allocation of women and men to certain occupations. Often, women are assigned different and unequal positions relative to men. Women are often delegated the responsibility of “women’s work.” DIVISION OF POWER - Power can be defined as having the capacity to influence the action of others. Women in power imbalanced relationships tend to depend on their male partner because men usually bring more financial assets (i.e., money, status) to the relationship. The power inequities are manifested as PHYSICAL EXPOSURE in public health.