Gender and Women’s Studies Book/Academic Journal Article Review

Gender and Women Studies Article Review
Name
Institution
Gender and Women Studies Article Review
Introduction
I made the decision of choosing DiCarlo et al.’s article “‘Men usually say that HIV testing is for women’: Gender dynamics & perceptions of HIV testing in Lesotho" based on its in-depth analysis of the societal biases placed on the female gender concerning the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/Aids. In particular, the article gives a clear representation of how essential issues such as HIV testing are perceived in African societies such as Lesotho. Krüsi et al. (2018) explain that in the traditional African society, the female gender was considered to play the biblical role of a helper and was highly demeaned of their democratic freedoms and rights. However, the article by DiCarlo et al. (2015) reveals that such stereotypes were extended to the issue of HIV testing. According to Arístegui et al. (2018), African societies tend to conceptualize the subject of gender based on the dimension of the communally constructed and accepted roles, modes of behavior, and actions that are considered to be morally appropriate for the males and females. Fields et al. (2018) reveal that HIV is considered as one of the threatening subjects that affect heterosexual females in third world economies such as Lesotho based on their position as biologically vulnerable species and the existence of certain political, social and economic factors that heighten the underlying levels of inequality. Further, the article adopts artistic and ironic approaches in fostering a link between the prevalence of HIV in Lesotho and the gender stereotypes put in place to choreograph women as the bearers of the infirmity.
Abstract
The abstract of the article proceeds as follows: “In Lesotho, men have lower HIV testing rates, less contact with HIV clinical settings, and less knowledge of HIV prevention than women. However, women’s HIV prevalence has consistently remained higher than men have. This paper explores gender norms, sexual decision-making, and perceptions of HIV among a sample of Basotho men and women in order to understand how these factors influence HIV testing and prevention. Two hundred women and 30 men were interviewed in Lesotho between April–July 2011. Participants reported reluctance among women to share information about HIV prevention and testing with men, and resistance of men to engage with testing and/or prevention services. Findings demonstrate a critical need for educational initiatives for men, among other strategies to engage men with HIV testing and prevention. This study highlights how gender issues shape perceptions of HIV and sexual decision-making and underlines the importance of engaging men along with women in HIV prevention efforts. More studies are needed to determine the most effective strategies to inform and engage men”(DeCarlo et al., 2015).
Author’s Description
Abby L. DiCarlo is an HIV and women studies specialist and holds a Masters of Arts Degree in Women Studies from the Claremont Graduate University. Further, the scholar studied at Colombia University where she was awarded an MPH. Currently, DiCarlo works th...