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HIV/AIDS, Women and Migration in Southern Africa

 

 

 

 

 

31 July 2008
 

 

Africa has a long history of migration. Persistent economic instability, fragile ecosystems, cyclical drought patterns, and civil wars and other types of conflict have propelled people from their countries of birth. Currently, more than 16 million Africans are classified as migrants, and their numbers are increasing. In particular, South Africa has the largest number of foreign-born persons (excluding irregular migrants).


Southern Africa has the highest rates of HIV-infection in the world. UNDP estimates of HIV prevalence indicate rates of almost 40% in Botswana and Swaziland, around 25% in Zimbabwe and over 20% in South Africa. Malawi (14%) and Mozambique (12%) show lower rates of infection.

Some experts assert that the rapid spread of the infection in Southern Africa over the last decade can be attributed, among other causes such as poverty and economic marginalization, to population mobility, and that there is a higher rate of infection among migrant communities.

Migrants are regularly separated from their partners and many engage in short-term sexual relations with others as the migrant lifestyle creates opportunities for wider social networking.

In a recent survey conducted by IOM, the levels of knowledge around HIV and AIDS were uneven in SADC, with traders from Malawi and Mozambique showing worryingly low levels of awareness. The survey showed that migrants had lower levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS than non-migrants.

The study also revealed an extremely low level of condom use in sexual relationships. Over 60% of the women in the domestic workers survey had never used a condom in their lives. This compares to 40% of construction workers and female cross-border traders.

Finally, mobile populations are more difficult to reach for post-infection treatment and commonly return to live with family members to obtain care or may migrate to obtain medical attention. This can involve cross-border movement to a country perceived to have better health care facilities.


Migration patterns are changing


Women are increasing in numbers among Southern Africa’s migrant population. Women encompass 37.4% of regular migrants from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to South Africa, and their numbers are increasing.

In addition to the fact that women are biologically at greater risk of infection than men, gender discrimination hinders women’s ability to access information and testing related to HIV/AIDS or negotiate the use of protective methods, further increasing their vulnerability. This is compounded by gender-based violence, abuse, coercion, trafficking, sexual exploitation, prostitution and forced marriage.

Women migrants are more likely to be disadvantaged by the migration experience than their male counterparts, increasing their risk of HIV/AIDS even further. They suffer violence, overt hostility, social exclusion and exploitation. Women most often work in the informal trading sector or domestic work, which subjects them to poor working conditions and low pay, sometimes forcing them to resort to sex work to supplement their income. Female farm workers, who often outnumber men as seasonal labourers on some border farms, have been known to exchange sex for food, jobs and accommodation.

Extremely little research has been done regarding women, migration and HIV/AIDS, but all evidence points to an increased risk of infection as more and more women choose migration as a livelihood option. The most alarming element is that just as migration has increased the spread of HIV, HIV/AIDS itself has increased population migration – perpetuating a dangerous cycle.

People living with HIV migrate to obtain care from health facilities or relatives, AIDS orphans migrate to live with relatives or seek income-earning opportunities. Death or debilitation of household or community members can lead to a decline in agricultural productivity and food security, creating pressure for out- or rural to urban migration. Skill gaps and shortages from high death rates create the need to replace workers with migrants. Finally, those diagnosed with HIV or those displaying physical symptoms of AIDS migrate to escape stigmatization by their community.

The link between HIV/AIDS and migration is receiving increasing attention from academics and policy-makers, but still remains acutely under researched. The research that does exist is also focused overwhelmingly on males.

The case study “Gender, Remittances and Development: Preliminary Findings from Selected SADC Countries,” published by UN-INSTRAW and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlights the fact that research into HIV/AIDS and migration is inadequate and that research into the gender dimensions of female migration are almost non-existent.

As more women join migratory flows, their risk of exposure HIV/AIDS increases, and the situation can only worsen. This issue urgently needs the attention of researchers, policy experts and law makers.

For more information, please contact Valeria Vilardo at vvilardo@un-instraw.org

 





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