Women, in fact, are doubly vulnerable. Studies reveal that the ratio of women between the ages of 18 and 30 who run the risk of contracting AIDs is 2:1 compared to their male counterparts. And, they are not only commercial sex workers. Ignorance continues to be a major factor contributing to thespread of this infection among women.
A significant 54 per cent of the 750 middle-class women interviewed from 11 states and four Union territories for the NORAD-sponsored AIWC report ' Women in AIDS ' said they did not know what caused AIDS. And 62 per cent were confi-dent that AIDS was curable. Fourteen per cent had never even heard of the disease.
"The ignorance is mind-boggling. Remember, we only reached semi-literate women through our questionnaires," observes Dr Bhashini Rao, project coordi -nator for the survey. "The lack of awareness among illiterate women, who are the larger part of the female population, is actually much more alarming."
The AIWC-NORAD programme, which was launched in 1992, aimed at training literate, semi-urban women such as social workers, teachers and housewives, to spread AIDS awareness—the essential pre-requisite for combating the impending epidemic.
According to the report, counsellors initially encountered mental inertia from participants at these sessions. But as the ramifications of HIV/AIDs were unravelled, they became very keen to learn how to deal with the problem. Project officials found a similar initial hesitation to discuss sexuality. Eventually, however, they began to openly discuss sexual behaviour patterns and experiences. These discussions resulted in a dramatic change of attitudes with regard to the use of condoms, for instance. Participants recognised the importance of safe sex in combating AIDS.
The ' Women in AIDs ' project may have helped identify problem areas and underlined the importance of training women from within the local community to take the lead in spreading awareness. However, without appropriate follow-up measures by the Government and women's organisations, the report will not be an aid in combating AIDS.
