Social cultural factors in HIV/AIDS transmission among women in Rwanda .

II.2.8 STIGMA AND TABOOS

Cultural stigma and taboos (social bans), especially related to sex and sexual activities, increase women's vulnerability to HIV infection. The taboos associated with sex and knowledge of sex act as barriers to seeking knowledge of prevention and to providing the treatment care and support by those infected and affected by HIV⁴².There should be not doubt that the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS are one of the powerful forces that increases the frequency of that pandemic. The greatest fear that all people have about the disease is not death from it but the marking of person as an outcast in the society⁴³.

In General discussion on sexuality are considered taboos in a number of communities and girl brides often lack knowledge about their bodies, sex education and information on sexual relations and reproduction. Example of man from Ethiopia: it (HIV) might be transmitted trough breathing, we do not know. So being careful is necessary: avoiding eating food, coming from patient's home, not sharing clothes and not drinking with the glass that the patient used. This is what I think».⁴⁴

II.2.9 RELIGION

The majority of religiously tailored belief systems condemn premarital sex, contraception including condom use, and homosexuality. Some religions also advocate a sub massive role for women, foster gender inequality in marital relations, and promote women's ignorance in sexual matters as a symbol of purity. The sexuality and gender stereotypes constructed by religion can inhibit prevention efforts and increases vulnerability to HIV infection⁴⁵.

42 www.icaso.org

43 www.gurtong.com

44 www.icaso.org

45 UNAIDS.2005

HIV vulnerability caused by religious beliefs and practices is the result of religious institutions condemnation of HIV infection as sinful. Such religious judgment plays a significant role in generating HIV and AIDS related stigma which increases vulnerability. Research has shown that religion also influence men's and women's exposure to HIV prevention message, knowledge and perception of risk, and the practice of prevention⁴⁶. According to RWEMBEHO, Some churches remain conservative influenced by traditional cultural norms and values to do with what it means to be a good Christian. It is ridiculous when in the work place or public life the gospel is safe sex through condom use and then when you got to church one Sunday you are branded promiscuous for just accepting a gospel that will ultimately save your life and a whole generation⁴⁷.Women have been founded to be disadvantaged in seeking information about HIV/AIDS due to their religious beliefs. Religions advocating against condom use pose a serious challenge to prevention the spread of HIV in the communities where they operate

II.2.10 POVERTY

Poverty impacts men and women differently and is a key factor leading to behaviors that exposure people to the risk of HIV infections. Poverty increases vulnerability to contracting HIV through several channels, including increased migration to urban areas; limited access to education and information; sexual exploitation; and gender inequality.

The risk of HIV infection is also known to be higher among the poorest and most powerless in society, and as such married adolescent girls, who tend to have much older husband, will be more at risk of infection than unmarried girls⁴⁸.

Poverty increases the risk of HIV transmission bye limiting access to information related to HIV prevention. Data available from various countries show that man and women of high economic status know more about HIV prevention than those economically worse off.

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47 The new times. no :1583; 9july2008

48 www.ncbi.nlm.nlh.gov

Poverty can also pressure women and men to exchange sex for food or other material favors in order to ensure daily survival for themselves and their families⁴⁹. Girls and young women who are able to escape from early marriage are often forced by poverty to go into commercial sex work to survive⁵⁰.

So it increases the pressure to resort to higher risk with older «sugar daddies» who offer the illusion of material security. As more women and girls take the decision to be to the streets as their only means of survival.