Girl power: the impact of girls' education on HIV and sexual behaviour

Addressing the feminisation of HIV epidemic in Africa through girls' education

By: Hargreaves J & Boler T
Published by: ActionAid International , 2006
Via: Eldis

This document addresses the feminisation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. The report asserts that HIV prevention campaigns often do not address the increased vulnerability of young women because they fail to deal with limited power to determine who to have sex with, or when and how to have sex. Current research in this field has linked girls’ education and decreased vulnerability to HIV infection. This document conducts a systematic review of the evidence on the impact of schooling on sexual behaviour, and on HIV rates. The report calls for the abolishment of school fees, and also calls for governments and donors to invest more in primary and secondary education.

Chapter one explores the issues that underlie the rapid spread of HIV infection among young women. This chapter also identifies some mechanisms through which girls’ education might affect HIV risk. Chapter two details the methodology used in analysing the evidence and in reaching the conclusion. Chapter three outlines the results of the study, while the fourth chapter contains the conclusion and recommendations.