Annotation:
This paper provides a human rights analysis of gender-specific factors that make women vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and influence the consequences of contracting the virus. It analyzes social and human rights factors such as gender-based violence, traditional practices, violence against women in conflict, lack of economic independence, sex work, and injected drug use. Intersecting discriminatory categories such as ethnicity, sexual orientation and age are also discussed. The last section of the paper reviews prevention and treatment strategies and advocates a multi-pronged approach which incorporates education, social empowerment, antiretroviral provision programs, prevention of gender-based violence and promotion of human rights. The paper ends with recommendations for governments. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]