Gender, sexuality and HIV: Making a difference in the lives of young women in developing countries

Abstract

Most new HIV infections are occurring in young people, with young women hit particularly hard in parts of the developing world. This paper explores the impact of gender and sexual norms on young women's sexual experiences, expectations and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. It argues that the power imbalance characteristic of sexual relations among men and women has many of its roots in adolescence. The data that support these findings were collected from studies conducted in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and the Pacific as part of the Women and AIDS Research Programme of the International Center for Research on Women. The paper concludes with recommendations for educators, therapists, and counsellors who work with young people and their families.