Men and Care in the Context of HIV and AIDS: Structure, Political Will and Greater Male Involvement

Over 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS. In low and middle-income countries, nearly 10 million are in immediate need of treatment yet only 3 million are receiving it. This leaves 7 million people sick with AIDS and in need of intensive and long-term care. Caring for those with the virus therefore involves both physical care – feeding, cleaning and providing medicine to cure opportunistic infections – and emotional support. Many of those caring for AIDS patients find that it is a full-time occupation, which imposes great stresses on the carer’s body, mind and finances.

Publisher: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women
Year of Publication: 2008