Gender, Inequality, and HIV Risk in South Africa

Kelly Hallman, Population Council

Although South Africa has fewer than one percent of the world’s 15–24 year-olds, it accounts for roughly 14 percent of global HIV infections among this age group. Young women are at particular risk: for South Africans this age, there are 5 infected females for every 2 infected males. Aside from biological factors, relative social and economic vulnerability of women puts them at higher risk for engaging in unsafe sexual practices, including “exchanges” of sex for favors and goods. While to some extent a “normal” aspect of sexual relationships, the health risks of such exchanges with certain types of partners (older men of economic means) may be great. The extent of and factors influencing such behavior are examined using the 2001 round of the “Transitions to Adulthood in the Context of AIDS in South Africa” panel study in KwaZulu-Natal. Relative poverty is associated with higher rates of sexual exchanges.