New Database Additions  Summary Title Conflict, Post-conflict, and HIV/AIDS – the Gender Connections: Women, War and HIV/AIDS: West Africa and the Great Lakes Author Benjamin, Judy A. Publication Date March2001 Publisher Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children/World Bank Summary What are the connections between conflict, HIV/AIDS and gender? This project conducted in Rwanda and Sierra Leone shows how gender inequalities among refugees and internally displaced populations significantly increase vulnerability to HIV infection. The project used a community-based approach which incorportate an outreach programme by AIDS educators taken from the refugee population. It found that women in the camps were acutely vulnerable to HIV infection as a result of increased domestic violence and rape. It also found that women had themselves changed their behaviour, largely due to inequitable distribution of resources. Sexual favours were often demanded in exchange for food which lead to an increase in the number of women"s sexual partners. The report recommended that the UN agencies need to: show serious commitment to protecting women and children from violence; look at the male-dominated nature of their personnel; address the involvement of UN personnel in gender violence and HIV transmission. It states that all peacekeeping staff should be trained in international human rights laws and preventing gender violence. Complete Document View MS Word Document