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Several international
instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW) and the International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, mandate governments to ensure safe
motherhood for all women. However, the sexual and reproductive health and
rights (SRHR) of women living with HIV are often ignored. Many pregnant
HIV-positive women experience human rights violations at various stages of
their reproductive years.
Globally an estimated 17.5 million women are currently living with HIV. The
number of new HIV infections continues to outstrip the numbers on
treatment-for every two people starting treatment, a further five become
infected with the virus [2] . Although treatment has increased and the
percentage of HIV-positive pregnant women who received treatment to prevent
vertical transmission increased from 33 percent in 2007 to 45 percent in
2008, HIV-positive women are often encouraged not to have children.
In some countries, access to HIV treatment is tied to women agreeing to use
contraceptives [3]. In one study [4], 45 percent of women diagnosed
HIV-positive were told not to have any more children-only 18 percent of
positive men were given the same advice, suggesting that health-care
workers place responsibility for contraception on women.
In addition, there are an increasing number of documented cases of pregnant
HIV positive women being coerced into sterilization or denied care because
of their HIV status. Many HIV-positive women face stigma and discrimination
when planning a pregnancy or seeking pre-natal care. D'addy, a 21-year-old
member of the YWCA of Congo Brazzaville, experienced discrimination after
an HIV test at a pre-natal clinic revealed that she was HIV-positive. When
her labour begun, she returned to the clinic. The nurses recognised her
from her earlier visit, remembered her HIV status and refused to assist
her. She gave birth alone. D'addy survived, but her baby died.
D'addy shared her story at the YWCA Regional Training Institute (RTI) held
in June 2009 in Lagos, Nigeria where participants committed to promote the
reproductive rights of HIV positive women. This commitment was also made at
the RTI held in the Caribbean in May. The RTIs explored strategies to strengthen
YWCA's response to SRHR, HIV and AIDS and violence against women.
But there is hope for women living with HIV. Sophia, a 30-year old
volunteer with the YWCA of Mozambique also shared her story with the
participants at the African RTI. Sophia is planning on having a family.
Although she is HIV-positive and her partner is HIV-negative, she has
received the support and guidance from the YWCA and health-care
professionals in her hometown. The government provides her with free
treatment and her doctor closely monitors her health as she prepares to
conceive a child. Sophia is full of hope for the future.
As civil society continues to push for Universal Access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support by the end of 2010, it is essential that
governments and world leaders understand that for universal access to be
truly universal, the human rights of young women and women living with HIV
must also be upheld.
Below are four actions that governments, international organisations and
civil society can take to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and
rights of HIV positive women:
- Empower women living with HIV by providing access
to information on their sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Invest in HIV comprehensive prevention strategies
that are grounded in sexual and reproductive health and rights and
that ensure access to comprehensive services to meet the needs of all
women - especially women living with HIV
- Support laws and policies that create a safe and
secure world that protect the rights of HIV positive women to make
free and responsible choices for their sexual and reproductive health
- Provide safe spaces without stigma and
discrimination, especially for women living with HIV
[1] Women and Health, Today's Evidence, Tomorrow's Agenda
[2] UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update 2009
[3] ICW. 2006. Mapping of experiences of access to care, treatment and
support - Namibia.
[4] Asia Pacific Network of People living with HIV. 2004. AIDS
discrimination in Asia.
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