This article looks at the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, and why it is so prevalent for women. In 2011 68% of the world's HIV diagnoses were people living in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over half of that was females (61%) . In the graphs below we can see that women almost always have a higher rate of infection than males. Why women? In this area gender based violence is extremely high towards females. A study shows that women who have experienced violence are three times more likely to have HIV than those who haven't. This is because they are in fear and feel they have no power to reject sex or request a condom. It takes a big toll on them psychologically and physiologically.  Not only does this violence contribute to their higher infection rate, but they are also biologically infected with HIV easier than males due to tears and lacerations. This is extremely common in young girls who are still developing. When they believe they've become infected they often times avoid tests, and don't seek treatment. This is one of the many reasons why it is so crucial that we combat the idea of male supremacy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I strongly agree with this goal to end male supremacy in Africa. It's obviously had very negative effects on these women far greater than the economic one's we've learned about in class. It even threatens their lives as countless continue to test HIV positive. It's sad that such practices have become so widely accepted even under these circumstances. I believe with women gaining more equality to men it would improve these statistics. They would no longer have to rely on a man to survive, and put up with such harsh treatment. It definitely wouldn't be a cure to the epidemic, but every little step along the way counts!

After talking about the difficulties women have faced in Africa in my last blog I think it's important to also recognize the fact that there are many African women who have overcome these difficulties to gain their own power. Through this Forbes article we are able to see some of the youngest powerful women in Africa in the year 2014. To name a few on the list I will begin with Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, 38 is the mayor of Morocco's third largest city with a population of more than one million. Another young woman by the name of Tebogo Mashego at the age of 32 is a South African entrepreneur. She is the CEO and co-founder of Diep K Steel & Aluminum, and is one of the few women working in the metal and aluminum industry in South Africa. Lastly, is the author from Zimbabwe Noviolet Bulawayo (pictured below) who was the first Zimbawean to be shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize for her novel "We Need Names."

These are only a few of the many women listed for being very young women of power in Africa. They are all known for their own unique contributions to many different professions. I think this is a good side of African women to look at. Yes, the past has been some what of a struggle for them after being colonized, but they are working towards progress. When you feel like something is holding you back it can be really frustrating. It's great that the women of Africa have others to look up to and know that it is possible, and progress is being made. These are all great examples of what I believe many African women would love to have the opportunity to achieve. It's definitely worth checking out this article to what the other seventeen women have accomplished!

I found this article that discusses women in Africa today, and the struggle they still face in finding equality. In many areas women are still not legally equal to men, and where they are the male still often times makes many of the decisions. In most areas they have little rights to inheritance, which makes it difficult to own land or accumulate money. Traditionally women are often times in charge of the home, children, elderly and farming like the women in the picture below while men go out to find a job. This leaves women with little opportunity for earning money. Even though there has been more of an effort to give girls an education than there was in the past they still have a lower enrollment rate and higher drop out rate than boys do. This is because families would rather spend what money they do have to educate a son instead because they are seen as the providers, girls are seen as household workers, there is pressure in many cultures for girls to marry at a young age, and lastly there is a lack of separate restrooms for girls. It is necessary to overcome this low education of women though, because when they are properly educated and allowed to help make decisions the productivity of society rises. Health problems also hold women back. Greater difficulties with health for women often times arise during pregnancy/birthing because of female genital mutilation(still affects some girls today), pregnancy at a young age, an not enough properly trained medical assistants. Thankfully, women are being given more options to have some power, such as in the government to make changes. Many have also had the opportunity to create their own path in life, and be successful working in business. It may be a slow process, but they are working on continuing to make a better life for the women of Africa.

As we're learning this week about the women of modern day Africa I thought this would be an appropriate article. They have quite obviously had a long, rough journey in the gaining back of their respect after the ideologies of male supremacy brought in by Europeans. Sadly, in this specific area being colonized has really set them back. Back before colonial rule women were essentially thought of as equals to males. Going from a respected status to such a degraded status had to be extremely difficult. I'm sure women really questioned their self worth as they went through such terrible treatment. Even now days after colonial rule we can see they're struggling to reach back up to the point of equality. Things such as the low rate in education among women and health problems only add to the struggle to create this equality. This way of life is just so engrained in them now that it's difficult to come out of. I'm sure it gives many people hope for the future as we see women entering positions in government.