With the month of March behind us, now is a good time to reflect on the woman in our country.  The 8^th of March is a global celebratory day that acknowledges the great accomplishments and achievements of women regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, financial, or political boundaries. International Women’s Day is about creating an equal gendered society whilst bringing attention to discrimination, biases, inequality and abuse experienced by women. Ideally a safe society would be one where women have the right to an education, the right to a fair and equitable salary, the freedom of speech, the right to vote, right to live free from violence and exploitation.

In contrast male counterparts tend to have greater access to social, political, financial, and cultural benefits. The disparity in power between men and women is reinforced and maintained by this privilege. Social challenges such as poverty and excessive alcohol use have been catalysts of these uneven power dynamics for years. Many of these resulting in intimate partner violence (IPV), which can increase the spread of HIV. Whilst there are extensive studies conducted on safe sex and awareness campaigns run for sexually transmitted illness, statistics show that only 56% of men living with HIV in South Africa, who are aware of their diagnosis, commence with antiretroviral therapy.

Project Sikunye, led by three female investigators: Adele Marais; Jessica Madigson and Jennifer Belus; investigate masculinity, stigma, and disclosure on men’s antiretroviral initiation in South Africa. The study argues that men living with HIV who have hegemonic masculinity beliefs (HMBs) are less likely to get tested; get treatment or disclose their status. This is detrimental to woman as a lack of engagement in care is associated with increased substance use and IPV. All three of these drive HIV transmission and infection in woman.  

The study hypothesises that men with strong HMB’s and a positive HIV status are less likely to initiate ART.  It examines whether the process of disclosure alters their views of masculinity and if so, what is the process of disclosure. The intent is to not only prioritising HIV care treatment but to reduce mortality rates related to HIV and protect women from infection. By exploring the phenomena of HMB’s within the community researchers are able to examine the concept of masculinity and roles of men in the specific community. By engaging with men Sikunye hopes to shed light on the effect of HMB’s on treatment care engagement, problematic substance use and intimate partner violence.

With the month of March behind us, we want to highlight research like Sikunye. Research like this is taking us one step closer to a equal and safe world for both women and men.

Written by Melisa Zulu