Migrant Women in Africa

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GMCarter - 16 Sep 2004 00:52 GMT

SOUTH AFRICA: Migrant women at much higher risk of HIV/AIDS - new
report

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks - September 14, 2004

http://www.aegis.org/news/irin/2004/IR040939.html
-----------------------------------------------------
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United
Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 14 September (PLUSNEWS) - Rural women seeking work
in South Africa's urban centres are as much at risk of
contracting HIV as a their male counterparts, a new study has
found.

Research funded by the UK Department for International
Development showed that HIV infection was higher among migrant
women (46 percent) than non-migrant women (35 percent).

The study, conducted in Carltonville, a small mining town about
50 km southwest of Johannesburg, aimed to identify risk factors
for HIV infection among 834 women, mainly resident in the nearby
Khutsong township.

Whether they were married or single, migrant women showed a
higher level of HIV infection, "suggesting that whilst migrant
women are away from home they engage in sexual activities with
multiple partners".

Kangelani Zuma, co-author of the report, told PlusNews that
migrant women were, in some cases, forced into sexual relations
in exchange for shelter or security.

"Having multiple partners can be seen as a strategy for economic
survival during the migration period. Many of these migrant women
do not have a place to stay when they arrive in the urban areas
and are forced to have 'transactional sex' with a series of
partners," Zuma explained.

Condom use was also lower among migrant women than non-migrant
women. "Because many of these women arrive with very little, they
find themselves powerless and unable to negotiate safe sex," he
added.

According to the study, the risk of contracting HIV was affected
by age, marital status and the use of alcohol. Women aged 35
years or younger and married or committed were at greater risk of
HIV infection than those who were older or single.

"Being older and single often meant the woman was more stable and
less sexually active. But it must be pointed out that the use of
alcohol in itself is not a risk factor, but rather the sexual
risks a person is willing to take when under the influence of
alcohol is cause for concern," Zuma said.

The report noted that, given the "alarmingly high" prevalence of
HIV and curable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among
migrant women, urgent intervention was needed, which should
address the social and economic factors promoting the spread of
HIV.

"There is a definite need for provision of services to treat
STDs, and for educational and empowerment programmes that will
promote condom use among migrant women," Zuma said.

He recommended that migrant women be accommodated in
"resettlement" areas catering specifically for families. "Much is
being done for migrant males to ensure that they can bring their
wives and children to the hostels in the city. The same should be
undertaken for these women who leave home to seek work," he told
PlusNews.

040914
IR040939

---------------------------------------------------

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Regional Information Network. .

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Reply to this Message

Moira de Swardt - 16 Sep 2004 06:54 GMT

"GMCarter" <fiar@verizon.net> wrote in message

> JOHANNESBURG, 14 September (PLUSNEWS) - Rural women seeking work
> in South Africa's urban centres are as much at risk of
> contracting HIV as a their male counterparts, a new study has
> found.

One wonders why it would actually be necessary to conduct such a
study. The idea is self-evident. However, there are fewer migrant
women than migrant men, and I suspect that many of the "migrant"
women landed up in Khutsong because they were looking for their
husbands.

> Research funded by the UK Department for International
> Development showed that HIV infection was higher among migrant
> women (46 percent) than non-migrant women (35 percent).

It would be interesting to see what other factors were considered.
Like the one with alcohol mentioned further along in the article.

> The study, conducted in Carltonville, a small mining town about
> 50 km southwest of Johannesburg, aimed to identify risk factors
> for HIV infection among 834 women, mainly resident in the nearby
> Khutsong township.

The mines are problem areas for HIV and, if one will pardon the pun,
minefields for obtaining representative data in the field of HIV.

> Whether they were married or single, migrant women showed a
> higher level of HIV infection, "suggesting that whilst migrant
> women are away from home they engage in sexual activities with
> multiple partners".

This makes sense.

> Kangelani Zuma, co-author of the report, told PlusNews that
> migrant women were, in some cases, forced into sexual relations
> in exchange for shelter or security.

> "Having multiple partners can be seen as a strategy for economic
> survival during the migration period. Many of these migrant women
> do not have a place to stay when they arrive in the urban areas
> and are forced to have 'transactional sex' with a series of
> partners," Zuma explained.

Transactional sex is a common problem found in studies on the spread
of HIV. The women themselves recognise this. But the attitude
remains. "What good does it do to die of hunger now so that we
don't die of AIDS in ten years time?"

> Condom use was also lower among migrant women than non-migrant
> women. "Because many of these women arrive with very little, they
> find themselves powerless and unable to negotiate safe sex," he
> added.

> According to the study, the risk of contracting HIV was affected
> by age, marital status and the use of alcohol. Women aged 35
> years or younger and married or committed were at greater risk of
> HIV infection than those who were older or single.

> "Being older and single often meant the woman was more stable and
> less sexually active. But it must be pointed out that the use of
> alcohol in itself is not a risk factor, but rather the sexual
> risks a person is willing to take when under the influence of
> alcohol is cause for concern," Zuma said.

"Single" is also often a euphemism for "lesbian" in cultures where
homosexuality is not openly acknowledged. Lesbians have a very low
risk of contracting HIV from one another even if one of them was HIV
positive. (Yes, I know at least one lesbian who is HIV positive).

> The report noted that, given the "alarmingly high" prevalence of
> HIV and curable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among
> migrant women, urgent intervention was needed, which should
> address the social and economic factors promoting the spread of
> HIV.

Agreed. Anyone have a magic wand? The batteries of mine seem to be
flat.

> "There is a definite need for provision of services to treat
> STDs, and for educational and empowerment programmes that will
> promote condom use among migrant women," Zuma said.

Again, we need the wand. Condoms are used by men. That is the
target group, not women. Disempowered women won't be able to
negotiate condom use.

> He recommended that migrant women be accommodated in
> "resettlement" areas catering specifically for families. "Much is
> being done for migrant males to ensure that they can bring their
> wives and children to the hostels in the city. The same should be
> undertaken for these women who leave home to seek work," he told
> PlusNews.

Nice in theory but a problem in practice. As I said, many of these
women left home to find their husbands, only to learn that they are
now living with other women.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

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