Women bearing the brunt

Sunday, November 28, 2004

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

Protecting the rights of women is a matter of fairness, social stability and public health. Improving the overall societal treatment of women and girls is one way to control the AIDS epidemic worldwide.

The United Nations' annual report on AIDS highlighted the growing number of women infected with HIV in every part of the world. Women account for nearly six of every 10 people living with HIV in Africa and more than half of those in East Asia.

Americans still tend to think about AIDS as a threat to limited segments of society, such as gay men or intravenous drug users. Unprotected homosexual activity and drug use continue to cause most HIV infections among U.S. men, according to the report. But heterosexual intercourse causes most HIV infections among American women. And AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death for young African American and Hispanic women.

Abstinence, fidelity and condom use must continue to play key roles in efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS. In this country, the changing face of AIDS may also require some fine-tuning of prevention programs, such as greater attention to educating hard-hit ethnic minority groups and giving girls and young women the skills to make good decisions about sexual activity.

Worldwide, stopping AIDS will require a much sharper focus on women's needs. Dr. Peter Piot, the director of the U.N. AIDS program, said in a teleconference last week that the response must include social changes as well as traditional public health measures.

In much of the world, legal changes are needed to protect women. In parts of Africa, for instance, married women still have no legal right to refuse sex to their husbands, who may be having unprotected intercourse with prostitutes or others. Better job and educational opportunities also are needed. The report said economic desperation drives many women to prostitution.

Led by the United States, the world is doing a better job of providing the money needed to combat AIDS in poverty-stricken regions. While more money could help, the larger challenge is to spend the money well, Piot said.

For women, AIDS has become an equal opportunity killer. Part of ensuring that AIDS programs are effective is to provide fairer treatment for women.

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