Stigma of Victims of Sexual Violence ’ s in Armed Conflicts: Another Factor in the Spread of the HIV Epidemic?

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to record the bulk of new people infected with Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired syndrome(HIV/AIDS) UNAIDS estimated that 1.9 million in 2010. This area is also the most affected by armed conflict and sexual violence against women. 

Sexual Violence

According to estimates, 8-10% of people infected by the HIV/AIDS are affected by armed conflict, a humanitarian crisis and a displacement of populations. Over past decades, several African countries have experienced armed conflicts, including Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, The Ivory Coast, Chad, Mali and the Republic Democratic of Congo (DRC). During the Rwanda genocide in 1994, the number of rape victims was estimated between 250.000 and 500.000. Read More>>>>>>>>

Sexual Violence and Associated Factors among Female Students of Madawalabu University in Ethiopia

In the last few years, World Health Organization (WHO) has made statements about the public health importance of violence against women. These statements result from a growing recognition that violence represents a serious violation of women’s human rights, is an important cause of injury, and also risk factor for many physical and psychological health problems. Violence against women (VAW) defied as: “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women” 

Since women are more focused than men (95% versus 5%), gender based violence is frequently used interchangeably with violence against women. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women are physically or sexually abused; and one in five experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Moreover, the most common and universal occurring form of VAW is that perpetrated by intimate partner. Read more..............