UNAIDS’ report claims Zimbabwe has 7,40,000 HIV-infected young women

A report released by the UNAIDS HIV and Women claims that around 7,40,000 young women between 15 and 24 are living in Zimbabwe with HIV.

South Africa tops the list with 4.4 million followed by Mozambique at 1.3 million. Although the reasons for these staggering numbers differ, still the existence of high levels of transactional sex and age-disparate sexual relationships are blamed for the HIV vulnerability among young women.

“Gender inequality is present within relationships and marriages and drives HIV infections. Although knowledge among young people is improving, only 37 percent of young women and 41 percent of young men have comprehensive and correct knowledge of HIV prevention. Only 46 percent of young women and 47 percent of young men have comprehensive knowledge about HIV, limiting their ability to take control of their sexual health,” the UNAIDS’ report revealed, according to New Zimbabwe.

The Report also claimed that in 2015, 17 percent of young women aged 15-19 in Zimbabwe reported having had sex with a man 10 years older in the past 12 months. “This ‘sugar-daddy’ culture can contribute to an elevated risk of HIV for young women, as they are exposed to older men who may be more likely to have HIV or who hold the power in the relationship and determine condom use,” the statement read.

Behind Zimbabwe in fourth among the African countries, Zambia with 6,70,000 young women living with HIV, followed by Malawi with 6,30,000 young women, Botswana with 2,20,000 young women sit in the sixth position with Angola 2,00,000 while Eswatini has 1,30,000 young women living with HIV.

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