Masculinity Campaign Objectives Ideas for Action Kofi Annan's Metaphor of the Global Village HIV affects both women and men. When it comes to the impact of the epidemic, women bear a heavier burden. Women are more susceptible to HIV because they are biologically more vulnerable to infection and because of some men's behaviour. Also men have more influence over whether or not to have safer sex. More men than women inject drugs.
Men are therefore more likely to infect others through sharing unsterilized equipment.
Men play a central role in HIV transmission, due to their greater risk-taking behaviour. However, factors, such as age, education, income, self-esteem, and peer relations can exert both positive and negative influences over the risk behaviours of men and boys. Unfortunately many men consider their masculinity compromised by the very behaviours that limit the spread of HIV, namely having fewer sexual partners, using condoms or being sensitive to the safer sex preferences of their partners. All of the above can increase the risk of HIV infection for men themselves, as well as women. In general, people of both sexes lead lives that pose no danger to themselves or others.