CONTENTS:- 1. Introduction. 2. Gender differentials. 3. The unfolding of the epidemic. 4. Trends of the global HIV epidemic. 5. Myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. 6. Trafficking in women and girls. 7. Vulnerability of women and children. 8. Attitudes and behaviour of the society towards HIV-positive women. 9. Women’s rights and women’s movement against HIV/AIDs. 10. Health policy in India and impact assessment under National Family Health Surveys. 11. A Historical Perspective on gender-blind health policies in India. 12. National AIDs Policy, 1997. 13. National AIDS control Programmes in India. 14. Ethical dimensions of HIV/AIDS research. 15. Social work response to HIV/AIDS. 16. Counselling HIV infected and affected persons. 17. Conclusion and recommendations.
DESCRIPTION
The world is now entering the fourth decade of the AIDS epidemic without any cure or foolproof vaccine in sight. A major part of India is still in the first phase of ignorance about the HIV and the need for ending any discrimination against the infected whereas we should now develop mechanisms for care and support of the infected and the affected. The status of women continues to be low and the hatred and rejection facing a positive woman is widespread. Gender differentials both at the policy as well as the programme levels exist. Access to health care institutions is poor and there is hardly any counselling, which keeps the needs of infected or affected women in focus. There is a need of trained social workers both in the urban and rural areas to meet the counselling requirements of a person from the infection stage till the end and, if possible, afterwards to the bereaved family. The book attempts to point out all these issues and the need to develop an all- inclusive set of policies and plans of action.
