Abstract

Inequality and gender violence: the face of vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among women living in marginal areas in Mexico

S. Mino Gracia<sup>1,2

1</sup>Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Antropología Física, Mexico, Mexico, ²Salud Integral para la Mujer, A. C., Program: Youth, Sexual Health, Mexico City, Mexico

Background: The aim of the research is to find out and analyze the interaction between social and cultural factors associated with vulnerability to HIV / ISID of women living in marginal areas of Mexico.
Methods: During 20 sessions of three groups of women living with HIV in Queretaro, Oaxaca and Mexico City, were done depth interviews and participatory observation. The data analysis was performed using a qualitative methodology.
Results: Women who experienced domestic violence during their childhood also suffered domestic violence in adulthood. Women with less education manifested lack of knowledge about HIV / AIDS, treatments and they linked the infection with death. Also, these women were treated discriminatory and their rights were violated in health services at the moment they received their diagnosis. Another large group of women got pregnant very young (between 14 and 18 years old) and lost their first son during the first year of live due to bad treatment in health services and violence by their spouse or partner. Several women link their HIV positive status to sexual violence by their spouses or partners, as well as the number of sexual partners the men had and their hidden bisexuality.
Conclusions: Poverty conditions are associated with gender inequality experienced by women, because denied them educational opportunities, having good paying jobs or accessing to health services. This situation increases their marginalized status and the possibility of being a victim of domestic violence because the lack of economic autonomy and information to prevent unintended pregnancies, which lessens their opportunities for professional development and increase possibility of join violent partners. All these factors contributed to get the HIV infection. So it is important to generate gender equity strategies to prevent among women.