HIV/AIDS & Gender Equality: Transforming Attitudes and Behaviours

Here are three excepts from the Bahá'í International Community Statement on HIV/AIDS and gender equality which was prepared for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June 2001.


"The relationship between the AIDS pandemic and gender inequality is gaining recognition globally."

"The denial of equality to women not only promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that affect their families, the workplace, political decisions and international relations; it also contributes substantially to the spread of HIV/AIDS and retards the progress of society."

"Traditional gender roles that have gone unquestioned for generations must now be re-examined in the light of justice and compassion. Ultimately, nothing short of a spiritual transformation will move men--and women--to forego the behaviours that contribute to the spread of AIDS. Such a transformation is as important for men as it is for women, because “As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs¹"

¹‘Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 133


Find out more about this relationship between HIV/AIDS and gender equality. Read or download the complete statement here.