Using the Theory of Gender and Power to Examine Experiences of Partner Violence, Sexual Negotiation, and Risk of HIV/AIDS among Economically Disadvantaged Women in Southern India

Citation

Panchanadeswaran, Subadra; Johnson, Sethulakshmi C.; Go, Vivian F.; Srikrishnan, Aylur K.; Sivaram, Sudha; Solomon, Suniti; Bentley, Margaret E.; & Celentano, David D. (2008). Using the Theory of Gender and Power to Examine Experiences of Partner Violence, Sexual Negotiation, and Risk of HIV/AIDS among Economically Disadvantaged Women in Southern India. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 15(3/4), 155-178.

Abstract

This article uses the Theory of Gender and Power to examine women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in order to: understand the vulnerability of female sex workers/poor women due to poverty and lack of educational resources; explore women's vulnerability in the context of client/partner violence, alcohol use, male partner's high-risk behaviors, and women's lack of control in their intimate relationships; and explore the role of traditional heterosexual gender norms in the outcomes of sexual negotiation. Ethnographic data were collected from 32 women and 38 men in India as part of an ongoing National Institute of Mental Health study. Results highlighted women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS stemming from partner violence, alcohol use, poverty, dangers of sex work environments, and tacit acceptance of cultural/gender norms.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10926770802097327

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2008

Journal Title

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

Author(s)

Panchanadeswaran, Subadra
Johnson, Sethulakshmi C.
Go, Vivian F.
Srikrishnan, Aylur K.
Sivaram, Sudha
Solomon, Suniti
Bentley, Margaret E.
Celentano, David D.

ORCiD

Bentley - 0000-0002-1220-0208