Gender Case Study HIV/AIDS

AMR-APARD, Hyderabad

Ill health affects both men and womenWomen are more seriously affected because:

• Lack of access & control over resources• Women are taken to treatment only when serious• Treatment, less effective at that stage

Women provide care when anybody is ill at home, she doesn’t get attention when she is sick

A huge portion of women and girls in India are anaemic

HIV in the context of Stark Poverty

Kurla, MumbaiHome – 6 feet x 6 feet on foot pathMunicipal Corporation demolished itHusband used to work as plumber –

Rs.3000/- a month4 years ago fell sick – HIV+Wife sold gold worth Rs. 10,000/-Medicines worth Rs.800/- a month –

used for 4 months and then discontinued.

He accesses medicine from government now

But falls sick frequently – diarrhoeaWanted to commit suicideNGO prevented and is supporting

themNow wife is also sick – still works –

earning lessSpends on X-rays and CD4 tests.Borrowing money from houses where

she is working.

Questions about Case StudyWhat forms of support would help

this woman and her family?Which of these forms of support are

already being provided by government? Which parts of government are providing them? Why is this support not reaching all who need it?

Which additional forms of support could be provided by government?

What went wrong in their lives?Is the corporation responsible for

their condition?Why is she borrowing money – would

that be available foreverWhy is she still working when she is

also HIV+ and sick