Application of the theory of gender and power to examine HIV-related exposures, risk factors, and effective interventions for women

Developed by Robert Connell, the theory of gender and power is a social str uctural theory based on existing philosophical writings of sexual inequalit y and gender and power imbalance. According to the theory of gender and pow er, there are three major social structures that characterize the gendered relationships between men and women: the sexual division of labor, the sexu al division of power, and the structure of cathexis. The aim of this articl e is to apply an extended version of the theory of gender and power to exam ine the exposures, social/behavioral risk factors, and biological propertie s that increase women's vulnerability for acquiring HIV. Subsequently, the authors review several public health level HIV interventions aimed at reduc ing women's HIV risk. Employing the theory of gender and power among women marshals new kinds of data, asks new and broader questions with regard to w omen and their risk of HIV, and, most important, creates new options for pr evention.