By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

LUSAKA, Zambia – Human Rights Watch issued a report yesterday accusing Zambia’s government of failing to stop the escalating violence against women and prevention of access to antiretrovial treatment for AIDS patients.  The report was based on 83 interviews conducted earlier this year of women, police, health counselors, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.   

The Zambian government was commended for its action in dealing with HIV/AIDS treatment, however the report was clear to establish that for many women an HIV positive diagnosis is the equivalent of a death sentence.  While the government has made AIDS treatment drugs free and put more than 93,000 patients on them with the help of international donors, women are still discriminated against and do not receive equal access to treatment. 

The stigma attached to HIV-positive people is still common and significantly affects women’s access to testing and treatment.  Fear of violence from their husbands lead some women to hide their medications and may even prevent them from being tested.  Many women are also left without money for transportation or food after divorce or their husband’s death due to property laws that favor men and “property grabbing” in which the deceased husband’s family seizes all his property, often leaving the widow destitute.  The result is that many women are unable to go to health clinics or afford the proper diet necessary while on medication.

Human Rights Watch called on Zambia to enact and enforce legislation on gender-based crimes and to ensure the the new constitution fully protects women’s equality.  “The Zambian government should also establish systems to enable healthcare providers, including HIV treatment providers, to respond to gender-based abuses. At a minimum, the government should ensure that healthcare providers in the HIV sector receive adequate training, clear guidelines, and support to detect and respond to gender-based abuses.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch News – Zambia: Abuses Against Women Obstruct HIV Treatment – 18 December 2007

AFP – Human Rights Watch slams Zambia over violence against women – 18 December 2007

International Herald Tribune – Human Rights Watch says domestic violence, poverty keeps AIDS drugs from Zambian women – 18 December 2007