Gender and Power

Abstract

In a patriarchal society like India, women remain more vulnerable towards human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In order to control HIV among women, the powerlessness of women needs to be understood in the broader sociocultural context. It is hypothesized that due to less knowledge and their socio-economic status, women are refrained from exercising reproductive and sexual rights, and thus remain powerless. Such powerlessness could significantly increase women’s vulnerability towards HIV. The study was carried out in Karnataka and West Bengal, India, and 200 HIV-positive women were selected as the sample for the study. It was found that a majority of women lacked awareness regarding rights relating to reproductive and sexual life, and faced forceful and violent sex within their marital life. Powerless existence indeed made females vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Even after HIV, their condition of vulnerability continued as in a large number of the cases they remained powerless and submissive and only a few respondents could exercise their reproductive rights. Those who realized and exercised their agency were able to do so due to self-realization through the influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and counselling. In a majority of cases, respondents’ social role had hardly undergone any change, and many respondents performed more of a sacrificing role and also neglected their own health.