Gender based violence a key driver of HIV transmission in rural areas in Kenya

Since the start of the global HIV epidemic, young women and adolescent girls more so in rural areas are the ones who have been mostly affected by HIV because of their unequal cultural, social and economic status in society.

According to the National AIDS Control Council, women constitute more than half of all people living with HIV here in Kenya. Moreover, AIDS related illness remains the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age in Kenya. 

According to UNAIDS, Gender based violence more so intimate partner violence has been identified as one of the key drivers of HIV transmission here in Kenya. UNAIDS states that women who experience intimate partner violence are 50% more likely to acquire HIV than women who do not.

Gender based violence and intimate partner violence is rampant in rural areas. According to the Kenya demographics health survey 2014, gender based violence is rampant in rural areas because of the gender inequality which has rendered women vulnerable and more prone to violence. In Kenya, 1 in 3 women has experienced violence.

Gender based violence and intimate partner violence has prevented many rural women and adolescent girls from protecting themselves from HIV. It has also acted as an important barrier to the uptake of HIV testing and counseling, antiretroviral treatment uptake and adherence and finally disclosure of HIV positive status.

To better address the impact of HIV on young women and adolescent girls and to win the fight against HIV, the government of Kenya needs to come up with better programmes that integrate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and HIV services and adopt a woman centered approach underpinned by two guiding principles which are human rights and gender equality.

Once we have gender equality and respect for human rights, we are more likely to see a decrease in cases of gender based violence leading to decrease in new HIV infection in women, increase in uptake of HIV testing and counseling, increase in uptake of antiretroviral treatment and adherence and finally increase in disclosure of HIV positive status.