NEW VISION
By Carrie Broadus

We are more than just a
body. We are mind, body
and spirit.Patterns of domestic violence are
very similar to the spread of HIV in
women. In domestic violence, the
woman is often isolated, has no control
over the situation with her and her
partner, she is often unaware, abused,
and continues to stay in the relationship
because she cannot see a way out.
With HIV, the woman similarly has no
say or control with condoms,
she is either not aware or may
have an idea that her partner is
cheating, but again does not
have a say in when he comes
home or where he goes. She usually
does not have the knowledge about
how the virus is transmitted or that she
is at risk of becoming infected because
she is monogamous in her relationship.
Often the woman is aware of
who has infected her if she is positive,
but will not turn the person in for all
of the same reasons a physically battered
woman resists turning in the father
of her children, or the man who
provides her economic stability.
In knowingly transmitting the virus
to his partner, the male is declariing
his control over his female partner.
Statements are made to the effect of,
"No one is going to want you now",
conveying the message that the
woman has now become "unclean".
In the same sense, social condition
and religion has put the woman at a
disadvantage. She is always made to
feel that she must be monogamous,
trust her partner, and taught to feel
that someone else will be there
to protect her, rather than instilling
the belief that she is capable
of taking care of herself.
Further, as in domestic violence, there
is much emotional trauma in getting a
diagnosis or finding out that a partner
has not only been unfaithful, but has
also infected her with the disease. And
many times women who are infected
by their primary partners often suffer
in silence, and it is not until they become
sick that they come forward to
recieve help.
Some will say, "It is the woman's
fault, she should know better; she
should learn how to negotiate safer sex
with her male partner." However, the
media bombards us with musical
lyrics and videos that portray women
as merely sexual objects - e.g. Sex Sells.
Dealing with this emerging assault
against women and changing society's
view of women rests within the power
of women to create the vision of wholeness.
We must come together and seize
control of our lives and proclaim, "We
are more than just a body. We are
mind, body and spirit."
Further, we must work to improve
the quality of life for HIV positive
women and their families and prevent
the spread of the disease; raise the visibility
of women living with HIV/
AIDS and make a dent in the headlines,
which currently report very little on
the impact of HIV/AIDS on women,
and their families.