Women and AIDS in Zimbabwe : the making of an epidemic

ABSTRACT

As the aids epidemic in Africa assumes major proportions; the need to understand the social context in which heterosexual transmission occurs takes onurgent importance. In this article we explore how the intersection of traditional culture with the colonial legacy and present-day political economy has influenced family structure and sexual relations; and particulary the social position of women. Drawing on Zimbabwe's historical experience; we show how land expropriation; rural impoverishment; and the forcible introduction of male migrant labor fostered new patterns of sexual relations; characterized by multiple partners.Traditional patriarchal values reninterpreted in European law resulted in further subjugation of women as even limited right to ownership were withdrawn. For many women; sexual relations with men; either within marriage (for the majority) or outside; become inextricably linked to economic and social survival. In this setting; all sexually transmitted diseases became rampant; including genital ulcer which facilitates transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV.) Intervention programs to halt the spread of AIDS need to take into account the epidemic's historical roots and social nature. [abstract terminated]