Some of these countries, like Mozambique, have gone on to obtain sustained economic growth and others like Uganda have achieved success in preventing growth of HIV rates. Others have not. They are however, many initiatives. All across Africa, people from all walks of life, and especially women, are engaged in formal and informal initiatives that not only strengthen the coping capacities of families, communities, and countries in the face of these crises, but also contribute to create environments that enhance human security in all its dimensions. It is important to explore specific gender sensitive approaches that affect the effectiveness of responses to the AIDS pandemic because in Africa AIDS has virtually become a condition of women.
Young women seem to have a special vulnerability.
For example, one in four South African women in the 20-29 age group carry the virus today. The number one form of transmission of HIV among women in Africa is sexual intercourse. Countries with a population with a significant bulge of young males who are out of school have higher risk of violent political conflict. There are many anecdotal accounts that suggest that during high intensity conflicts boys and men are susceptible to sexual violence as much as women. Twelve to twenty leaders and professionals who are currently residing in Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and other post-conflict countries in SSA, will be identified and invited as participants.