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!