Gender inequities

By Melody Gwenyambira

Gender inequity and gender based violence can create barriers for the uptake of health services and as a result can limit uptake of PMTCT or HIV prevention services.

This was revealed by Dr Barbra Engelsmann the Country Director for the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID Trust)

The media breakfast meeting was hosted to place a spotlight on gender-based barriers in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission.

“Gender related issues and gender based violence are among a number of barriers affecting the number of women being tested for HIV, disclosing their status to partners, adhering to treatment regimens and seeking antenatal care.’ Dr Engelmann added.

In Zimbabwe, significant progress has been made to ensure universal access to the PMTCT services, yet if the country is to achieve its targets as set out in the National Strategic Plan to Eliminating New HIV Infections in Children and Keeping Mothers and Families Alive:2011-2015 there is need to address barriers to the uptake of these families.

“In all sectors including health, there is need to address gender barriers so as to ensure that women and their families can access quality care and lead healthy fulfilling lives. It is critical for all stakeholders to work together to end gender-based violence against women and increase access to and utilization of PMTCT services.”