WOMEN, THE LAW, AND HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA: A CONUNDRUM FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

Shu-Acquaye / Mbanya / Chungong Since the discovery of AIDS in 1981, the pandemic has ravaged through all continents of the world, but the impact has been greatest in Sub Saharan Africa where 68% of the world's infected persons live. Women are hardest hit with 50% of infected adults in 2007 being women. There are currently 13.3 million women living with HIV and AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa, making it critical to further focus attention on women of the region. This book attempts to highlight the plight of these women, and the challenges they face daily within their particular societal context. With the advent of and access to antiretroviral drugs and improved technology in the management of HIV and AIDS, it has been rendered a chronic disease in developed countries, but not so in Sub Saharan Africa. The first chapter of this book examines the epidemiology, manifestations and general management of the problem in a setting where prevention and access to antiretroviral drugs has been compoun