Over 60 per cent of HIV positive people across the globe are women, says an expert
“Over 60 per cent of HIV positive people across the globe are women,” said Yasmine Abu-Ayyash, Project Assistant, at the ECSU Center for Gender and Development. She said this as the World AIDS Day was observed by the university community on December 4, 2013. In a message sent through his Executive Advisor, Demis Merid, President of ECSU, Dr. Hailemichael Aberra lauded Ethiopia’s successful fight against HIV which brought the infection rate down to 1.5 per cent. In the past ten years the number of people who died of AIDS in Ethiopia has decreased by 53 per cent. The president called upon the university community to protect themselves from HIV and contribute their share in the fight against the deadly virus. Project Assistant, at the ECSU Center for Gender and Development on her part said women are more susceptible to HIV AIDS as they are economically dependent on men and they don’t have the power to refuse or negotiate for safe sex, especially in marriage. "She indicated that the prevalence of HIV is higher in countries where there is high sexual violence. Yasmine Abu-Ayyash said
" violence against women constitute many forms; any violence that results in physical, mental or sexual, emotional psychological sufferings to women."
She added in most cases, such violences are perpetrated by their intimate partner or family.
According to Yasmine Abu-Ayyash, the problem isn’t only seen in Ethiopia. She said,“Violence against women is a global epidemic.” According to her it was in Canada in 1991 a movement was started. Men started wearing white ribbon to signify their opposition against violence against women. As a result it was called “white ribbon campaign”.
Abu-Ayyash noted the initiative to stop violence against women should start by educating and changing the public in general. She said there is a connection between gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. She underscored that violence against women is among the biggest contributors to higher incidences of HIV and AIDS among women. Over 60 per cent of HIV positive people across the globe are women.
While concluding her speech Yasmine Abu-Ayyash said
“World AIDS Day is a chance to speak out about sexual violence and to stand up for sexual and reproductive health of women in Ethiopia. It is time to break the silence”
Also on the occasion, Mamo Eshetu, a representative of the Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), presented a detailed presentation. He said efforts are being exerted to raise public awareness so that with the motto,“In this year not a single person should be infected with HIV”. “We need to work together to protect productive citizens from HIV,” Mamo said.
This year’s World AIDS Day motto is “Zero new infection: death and discrimination”.
A staff member of ECSU, who lives with HIV, advised students and staff in attendance at the event to undergo an HIV blood test and know their status.