Gottfried, Erika

Mercosur: A Tool to Further Women's Rights in the Member Nations

The author argues that Mercosur, a free trade agreement between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, can and should be used as a tool to enhance the status of women within the member nations by adopting structural changes that prioritize women's issues. The author provides an overview of women's social and economic position within each of these countries, of the present structure of the agreement, as well as the ways in which trade affects women in general.

HIV/AIDS as a Human Security Issue: A Gender Perspective

The author of this paper argues that HIV/AIDS presents a threat to human security. Part one discusses (a) the ways in which HIV/AIDS threatens human security; (b) the "negative synergy" between HIV/AIDS and poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict, and HIV/AIDS and gender; and (c) the interaction between soldiers, youths and women. Part two contains recommendations and guiding principles in the areas of empowering women, training soldiers, and strengthening international commitment. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]