Culture and its impact on the feminisation of HIV and AIDS risk among Caribbean women

The worldwide feminisation of HIV and AIDS has not left the Caribbean region unscathed. A decade ago, infection rates among West Indian women were 3-6 times higher than those of men. This paper addresses the crucial and inter-related roles of socio-cultural issues such as: patriarchy, commercialization of sex, men who have sex with men, violence and religious practices; all of which contribute to HIV and AIDS risk in the Caribbean. In so doing, the paper raises awareness of the stark reality of the lives of Caribbean women and the ways in which Caribbean culture disproportionately exposes them to the risk of contracting HIV and AIDS. The paper concludes and recommends that further research should be done to address the key sociocultural elements that negatively influence male-female relationships and their impact on HIV and AIDS risk in the Caribbean.