Women are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Of the 40 million people living with HIV globally, in 2007, almost half were women. The percentage increases to 60 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, women under 25 years of age are three to four times more likely to be infected with the virus. Data suggests women aged 15-24 have the highest rate of new infections in the country.

The consequences for the health and psychological well-being of women and girls subjected to various forms of violence can be devastating. At the same time violence against women and girls can have damaging psychological effects on boys who witness their mothers or sisters being beaten and abused at the hands of their fathers. Women and girls in situations of abuse are at increased risk of HIV infections from their violent partners, as men who are perpetrators of violence are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviors themselves.

Amnesty International’s findings are consistent with the view expressed by the South African Human Rights Commission, that “poor physical access is tantamount to a denial of access to health care services.” According to testimonies from AI interviews, due to lack money for transportation, women were sometimes unable to have access to hospital and some clinic-based health services for HIV and AIDS. Although free health care has been extended to all South Africans using the public primary health care facilities, the effects of this free provision of life saving medicines and services appear to be undermined for rural women by the difficulties they face in securing stable incomes sufficient to ensure they have access to adequate food and affordable transport.