HIV/AIDS in Cameroon: Rising gender issues in policy-making matters

Abstract

This literature review investigated gender differentials in HIV/AIDS in Cameroon and to which extent gender was taken into account in the country's current policy on HIV/AIDS. The review found that in Cameroon women were at increased risk of being infected with HIV/AIDS compared to men and that apart from biological vulnerability; socio-cultural as well as economic factors accounted for those differences. In addition; the review found that at the policy level; the government has drawn up plans to reduce the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women. However; although the current policy acknowledged the need for tackling gender differentials in HIV/AIDS transmission; little has been done at the level of implementation. The current policy needs to be implemented in a more effective manner and a multisectorial approach should be explored in order to curb the current trend of the feminization of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon