The Feminization of AIDS in Africa

Background information

The UNAIDS report on the HIV/AIDS pandemic highlights the growing rates of infection among women worldwide. Women now account for nearly 50% of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, in Africa, the situation is more ominous. Almost 57% of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Africa are women. For Africans ages 15-24 living with HIV/AIDS, women account for 76% of all infections.

In South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, young women ages 15-24 have rates of infection that are between three and six times that of their male peers. The so called feminization of AIDS appears to be in full swing in Africa.

Stephen Henry Lewis, CC (born November 11, 1937) is a Canadian politician, broadcaster and diplomat. He is currently Social Science Scholar-in-Residence at McMaster University, having recently completed his term as United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, the son of former federal New Democratic Party leader David Lewis,

After working for several years as a labour mediator, columnist and broadcaster, in 1984 Lewis was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations by Governor General Jeanne Sauvé, on the advice of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Lewis served at the post until 1988. In the 1980s, he became a familiar voice appearing with Dalton Camp and Eric Kierans as part of a weekly political panel on Peter Gzowski's Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio show, Morningside.

From 1995 to 1999, Lewis was Deputy Director of UNICEF. From 2001 until 2006, he worked as United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In his role as Special Envoy, he worked to draw attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis and to convince leaders and the public that they have a responsibility to respond. He has been widely praised for his effectiveness in this role. In 2005 he adapted his Massey Lectures in a book titled "Race Against Time", where he describes the disjuncture between what the international community promises and their actions in responding to the pandemic in Africa.

In May 2006, Lewis joined the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University as a Scholar-in-Residence. Also in 2006, an online petition asking the Nobel committee to recognize Lewis for his work, and consider him for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, was signed by over 12,000 people, it was unsuccessful thus far. In 2009, Lewis strongly criticized Pope Benedict XVI's assertion that condom use only makes the AIDS crisis worse, saying he is "sending a message which ultimately kills people".

Words and Expressions

appallinglyto an appalling extent

eg. Unkind isn't the word for it! He treats the animals appallingly!

contaminatedrendered unwholesome by contaminants and poll

ution

eg. Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.

ferociousmarked by extreme and violent energy

eg. 1. The ferocious winds seemed about to tear the ship to pieces.

2. A person regarded as ferocious or violent.

assaultattack someone physically or emotionally

eg. 1. The court determined that the man was guilty of assault.

2. They made an assault on the enemy's position.

discrepancya difference between conflicting facts or claims

or opinions eg. 1. I thought I had explained away the discrep

ancy but he had the actual figure and so I left myself wide open to a charge of telling lies.

2. The price tag says$100 and you charged me for$120; how do you explain the discrepancy?

tsunamia cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wav

e caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption

eg. Tsunami is a kind of disaster for the people live near the sea.

outpouringa large flow

eg. A full, rich outpouring of harmonious sound.

instantaneousoccurring with no delay

eg. 1. Death is instantaneous in a fatal accident.

2. Relief was instantaneous.

recoildraw back, as with fear or pain

eg. 1. She recoiled at the sight of the snake.

2. He tends to recoil from making difficult decisions.

percolatepermeate or penetrate gradually ; spread graduall

y

eg. 1. I'll percolate some coffee for you.

2. The rumour percolated through the firm.

decimatekill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman a

rmies ; kill in large numbers

eg. 1. Student numbers have been decimated by cuts in grants.

2. Disease has decimated the population.

predatorycharacterized by plundering or pillaging or mara

uding ; living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain- W.E.Swinton

eg. A person of a rapacious, predatory, or profiteering nature.

overturea tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reacti

ons of others; orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio

eg. 1.Women can’t say no to predatory male overtures .

2. The audience must be in their seats before the overture.

prevalencethe quality of prevailing generally; being widesp

read

eg. 1. I'm shocked at the prevalence of bribery among these officials.

2. They are so surprised by the prevalence of anti-government sentiments.

monogamous(used of relationships and of individuals) having

one mate

eg. In China, we adopt the principle of monogamous.

conceivablewithin the bounds of what may be conceived wit

hin the framework of nature;capable of being imagined

eg. 1. It is hardly conceivable (to me) that she should do such a thing.

2. We tried it in every conceivable combination.

impassea situation in which no progress can be made or

no advancement is possible

eg. The negotiations had reached an impasse, with both sides refusing to compromise.

bewitchedcast a spell over someone or something; put a he

x on someone or something

eg. The wicked old woman bewitched the princess, and she fell into a long sleep.

repugnantoffensive to the mind

eg. 1. The idea of accepting a bribe is repugnant to me.

2. I find his racist views totally repugnant.

exterminationcomplete annihilation ; the act of exterminating

eg. All doors and windows are sealed for the extermination of mosquito.

holocaustan act of great destruction and loss of life

eg. 1.It is unthinkable that we shall allow a nuclear holocaust to occur.

2. It is unthinkable that we should allow a nuclear holocaust to occur.

annihilationdestruction by annihilating something ; total dest

ruction

eg. A full-scale nuclear war could lead to the annihilation of the human race.

chasma deep opening in the earth's surface

eg. 1.The chasm between you and he can not be solved by us.

2. There is always a vast chasm between rich and poor.

incrementincrease

eg. 1. A finite increment in a variable.

2. Your salary will be 12000 a year, withannual increments of 500.