Revealing how women in many developing countries do not have the right to own or inherit property, this monograph clarifies the role of tenure security in protecting against and mitigating the effects of HIV amongst women and domestic violence. Exploring these linkages in Amajuba, South Africa, and Iganga, Uganda, this qualitative work based on peer-reviewed scientific studies and personal interviews with native women argues that property ownership, while not easily linked to women’s ability to prevent HIV infection, can nonetheless mitigate the impact of AIDS and enhance a woman’s ability to leave a violent situation. An invaluable resource for policymakers, western donors, nongovernmental organization workers, and academics, this analysis details the current land reform efforts as well as HIV/AIDS and domestic-violence policies in both countries, in Africa as a whole, and beyond.

Key recommendations to the government of Zambia and Zambia National Assembly -- Methodology -- The impact of gender-based abuses on women's HIV treatment -- Zambia's response to gender-based abuses impeding women's HIV treatment -- Zambia's international legal obligations -- Response of the international community -- Conclusion -- Detailed recommendations -- Acknowledgements.

As a matter of fact, there is a need for understanding the stories behind domestic violence and HIV/AIDS in women. Many research studies focus on the interaction between domestic violence and risky behaviours for HIV/AIDS infection and have ignored the experiences of women who are caught up in these situations. This work was aimed at exploring the experiences of HIV-positive women who are victims of domestic violence and tries to understand their feelings regarding the HIV status and the violence. Factors that contribute to the spread of HIV in women are also explored. It is argued that domestic violence and other socio-culturalfactors are the driving force behind the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in women. These factors also contribute to the continuation of dominant themes of domestic violence. The emerging stories of participants revealed that cultural factors situate women in positions that limit their ability to make decisions in the relationship, including sexual decisions. In the context of domestic violence, it not only becomes difficult for women to cope with their HIV diagnosis, but their positive HIV status also leads to the continuation of domestic violence.