Close Links Between Poverty, HIV/AIDS And Disability
Sixty million people in Africa are living with a disability. They make up fifteen to twenty percent of people in the poorest communities who are also severely affected by HIV & AIDS.
Why are persons with disabilities in Africa are at equal or greater risk of HIV infection, compared to their non-disabled peers?
The stigma experienced by persons with disabilities means that they are less likely to marry and more likely to have several sexual partners in a series of unstable relationships. Disabled adults and children are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence and rape. Other factors such as physical dependence, life in institutions and lack of access to legal rights, also make them particularly vulnerable to infection and abuse.
Why do persons with disabilities have poor access to HIV & AIDS information and services?
Only 1 – 2% of children with disabilities receive an education, therefore they automatically miss out on school based HIV & AIDS education programmes. Low literacy rates among disabled adults and difficulty with access to mass media messages for those with hearing or visual impairments also present real challenges to information outreach. Access to HIV testing, care, medication and support is limited due to social and economic obstacles, problems of physical access, prejudicial attitudes towards persons with disabilities and misconceptions that they are not sexually active.
Why are persons with disabilities left out of HIV & AIDS policies and programming?
Despite growing international attention to the rights of persons with disabilities, African governments and policy makers rarely consider disability issues when formulating their HIV & AIDS strategic plans. The UN system, AIDS donors, non governmental organisations, HIV & AIDS services organisations, the private sector and disabled people’s organisations all have a role to play to achieve inclusive policies and programmes.
Further information: www.africacampaign.org
Read more: CBM-Partner CCBRT In Tanzania Runs A Holistic HIV/AIDS-Related Programme
Go back: New Africa Campaign To Include Persons With Disabilities In Fight Against AIDS
Why are persons with disabilities in Africa are at equal or greater risk of HIV infection, compared to their non-disabled peers?
The stigma experienced by persons with disabilities means that they are less likely to marry and more likely to have several sexual partners in a series of unstable relationships. Disabled adults and children are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence and rape. Other factors such as physical dependence, life in institutions and lack of access to legal rights, also make them particularly vulnerable to infection and abuse.
Why do persons with disabilities have poor access to HIV & AIDS information and services?
Only 1 – 2% of children with disabilities receive an education, therefore they automatically miss out on school based HIV & AIDS education programmes. Low literacy rates among disabled adults and difficulty with access to mass media messages for those with hearing or visual impairments also present real challenges to information outreach. Access to HIV testing, care, medication and support is limited due to social and economic obstacles, problems of physical access, prejudicial attitudes towards persons with disabilities and misconceptions that they are not sexually active.
Why are persons with disabilities left out of HIV & AIDS policies and programming?
Despite growing international attention to the rights of persons with disabilities, African governments and policy makers rarely consider disability issues when formulating their HIV & AIDS strategic plans. The UN system, AIDS donors, non governmental organisations, HIV & AIDS services organisations, the private sector and disabled people’s organisations all have a role to play to achieve inclusive policies and programmes.
Further information: www.africacampaign.org
Read more: CBM-Partner CCBRT In Tanzania Runs A Holistic HIV/AIDS-Related Programme
Go back: New Africa Campaign To Include Persons With Disabilities In Fight Against AIDS
