A recent report by UNICEF states that women in India find themselves increasingly at risk of catching HIV because a big number of their male counterparts are blind to the concept of HIV/AIDS that is threatening the people worldwide.
According to an estimate, chances of being infected with HIV in women are two times higher during sex as compared to men. Interestingly, it has also been found that women’s knowledge about HIV is somewhat higher than men and in this regard, figures show that whereas 21 percent of the women know about HIV/AIDS in India, on the other end, this percentage stands just 17 percent for men.
If we look at the whole issue then we can say that whereas this exposure shows a grim situation, at the same time it brings out amazing findings as well. It is strange to know that in country like India where a big percentage of women are illiterate, the percent of women who are aware of HIV/AIDS is comparatively higher while there is lack of awareness in men whose literacy percentage stands higher.
However, if we look at the darker side of this situation then we cannot deny the fact that this HIV/AIDS structure prevailing in India points to a serious threat because as we know that male dominated society is the chief characteristic of India and women are supposed to follow the will of men and in condition it is quite possible that ignorant men may turn their women counterparts a victim of HIV/AIDS.
In the recent years the HIV/AIDS situation has exacerbated in India and this statement has also been vindicated thorough a report of UNAids, which asserts that India now has more people living with HIV than any other country; which is quite a startling divulgence. The same report further asserts that India accounts for two-third of HIV cases in the whole of Asia. The severity of the problem can be well understood with the fact that whereas in the year 2005 there were 5.5 million cases of HIV infected people in South Africa while in the context of India overlapping these figures stood at 5.7 million.
No, doubt, India has achieved great success in making more and more people aware about HIV/AIDS but we should not forget that still final destination is miles away and we should not forget that a big percentage of people are still blind to HIV/AIDS awareness. Therefore, still it would require a lot of energy to make people aware about this. And we must not forget that if women are at higher risk of HIV infection then it means the chances of HIV spread are higher because HIV infection may seep into their unborn children as well. Personally, I think that awareness is such a strong weapon, which can strike at the root of deadly HIV/AIDS more vehemently and the dream of HIV/AIDS free India can come true.
Image credit: Global Aids Alliance
Via: Hindu
