HIV&AIDS

Basic Situation and impacts of HIV&AIDS on the society

In South Africa a total of about 5.7 million people are infected with HIV. This is the highest number of people in one country worldwide. More than half of the people living with HIV are women (55%). They are carrying the main brunt of the epidemic and its consequences.

Problem awareness. A number of risk factors are causing the extremely high HIV prevalence rate. On the one hand, many people in South Africa tend to have unprotected intercourse with multiple concurrent partners. On the other hand, effective prevention measures are not practiced. Due to their low societal status, women only have very little control of their sex life and are therefore not able to negotiate safe sex. They are often subjected to male violence. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV & AIDS are very high. Access to health services is unequally distributed. Both factors often prevent people from getting tested.

Impact on the society. HIV&AIDS endanger the economic development and social stability of a country. The epidemic is threatening the existence of many families – it is often the main bread winner in the family who falls sick and dies first. By then, health related expenditures have in many cases used up all savings and incomes of the family. Children are either caring for their sick parents or heading households altogether. Especially children and women are at risk of economic and sexual exploitation. The health, education and personal development of affected children is significantly limited.

Development Cooperation

HIV&AIDS is a priority area in Development Cooperation with South Africa. The German implementing organisations (GIZ and KfW) are working jointly in a programme to support the implementation of the HIV&AIDS, TB and STI National Strategic Plan of South Africa. The focus of the support is prevention of new HIV infections. Moreover, HIV&AIDS is mainstreamed in all other programmes and projects of German Development Cooperation.

Furthermore, Germany is co-chairing with the UN the AIDS and Health Development Partners Forum (AHDPF) aiming at improved coordination and division of labour among development partners’ support. Read More …

Pictures: © Florian Koop & GIZ