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By Rabindra RooplallToday, more than 25 years into the AIDS epidemic, gender inequality and unequal power relations among women and men continue to have a significant influence on the HIV epidemic. This is according to UNAIDS,Duncan Keith Jersey, the Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS.Reducing sexual transmission of HIV is one of the UNAIDS priority areas. Sexual transmission accounts for more than 80 per cent of new HIV infections worldwide, but has been the most difficult mode of HIV transmission to address.Experts say a major revitalization of HIV prevention efforts focused on changing the norms, contexts and conditions which facilitate sexual transmission of HIV is requiredAccording to UNAIDS, condom use is a critical element in a comprehensive, effective and sustainable approach to HIV prevention and treatment, since the male latex condom is the single, most efficient, available technology to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.Though there have been significant commitments to promoting and protecting the human rights of women and girls over the years, HIV highlights the gap between rhetoric and reality.A qualitative study carried out by UNAIDS in Guyana revealed that almost all first sexual experiences reported no contraceptive use, while 24 per cent of males in the age group 15-24, reported having sex with two or more partners in the last 12 months but without using condoms during their last intercourse.Among this group 14 per cent of 15-19 year old males and 30 per cent of 20-24 year old males reported not using a condom during their last intercourse.However, the report disclosed that general knowledge of HIV is almost universal in Guyana, with 97 per cent of women and men having heard of AIDS.Over two-thirds of out of school youths (OSY) reported having been tested for HIV within the past year and 62 per cent of in school youths (ISYs) reported being tested within the past year.It was noted that most fathers conclude that the “ideal” age to become a father is age 25. However, it was disclosed that men are culturally pressured to become fathers in Guyana. In addition, among Afro-Guyanese community the rite of passage to adulthood is perceived as “becoming a father”. In the Indo-Guyanese community,Martin Brodeur Jersey, it’s marriage.Statistics also found that rural men tend to feel very uncomfortable to share/discuss personal issues in relation to their health with persons other than their mothers followed by their wives,Artem Anisimov Jersey, while urban men tend to feel more comfortable discussing these matters with their male peers, followed by their wives.However, both urban and rural men have expressed the desire to attended by or interact more with male health care providers.In the report,Dennis Rasmussen Jersey, it was further disclosed that most males under the age of 30 feared contraceptive use (pills) would cause infertility in their partner.Many men who are above age 25 rely on the “safe period” as the preferred method of contraception during the formative years of courtship but regularly experience an unplanned pregnancy.The UNAIDS report cited negotiation of “condom use” in the formative years of a “steady relationship” (three years or more) is usually marred by negative stereotype perception between partners.“The responsibility of avoiding an unplanned pregnancy is perceived as the responsibility of the female.”Reports disclose in the Caribbean, where women comprise 48 per cent of people living with HIV, young women are approximately 2.5 times more likely to be infected with HIV than young men, since HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age (15-49years) worldwide.Country studies indicate that the risk of HIV among women who have experienced violence may be up to three times higher than among those who have not. And women, fearing or experiencing violence, are less likely to negotiate for safe sex, since forced sex increases the risk of HIV transmission due to tears and lacerations.Early marriage is still common worldwide, with young girls often forced into marriage and sexual relations, causing health risks, including exposure to HIV.It was further disclosed in the UNAIDS report that a lack of education can prevent women from accessing HIV information and services. Illustrative list of factors influencing risk and vulnerability for women and girls are; Lack of economic opportunity, Gender based violence, Biological susceptibility, Lack of knowledge,David Savard Jersey, Femininity stereotypes,Jack Johnson Jersey, Lack of empowerment,Stan Mikita Jersey, Inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services and commodities,Brandon Mashinter Jersey, Unequal property and inheritance rights, Lower levels of education, Inability to negotiate terms of sexual relations, Trafficking, Inability to exercise rights, Harmful traditional practices,Alex Goligoski Jersey, and Child marriage and early pregnancy.