Kenya, 10 December 2009.  Half of Kenyan women living with HIV/Aids have been physically abused in the past year, according to a new study that highlights the worrisome link between the scourge and violence against women.

At least one in two of the victims interviewed said they had been slapped or
shoved, 40 per cent had been kicked or beaten, 36 per cent had been hit with
an object while 31 per cent had been threatened by use of a knife or a
weapon.

"These results are indicative of high levels of physical violence against
women by their partners ... the consequence ranges from pain to death," says
Linkages between Violence against Women and HIV/AIDS among Wofak
Beneficiaries, a report prepared by Dr Mumbi Machera for Women Fighting Aids
in Kenya (Wofak) and ActionAid International Kenya, and which was published
this week.

The study was carried out in Nyanza, Coast, Western and Nairobi provinces.

"Rape and sexual exploitation are prevalent in all the study areas. It is
also evident that violence is common among adolescent girls. Aids orphans,
especially young girls are at a higher risk of forced marriage."

Guardians force girls into marriage to shove responsibility to the husband.
These girls risk mistreatment and other forms of violence, including rape.
This increases their vulnerability to HIV infection, the report indicates.

Physical abuse apart, the incidence of psychological, economic and cultural
trauma is much more worrying.

Social isolation
Nearly nine in ten of women with HIV face social isolation or have been
denied basic rights, such as food and medical care. They also risk being
evicted out of their homes or denied employment.

"We found that women who disclose their HIV status face mistreatment by
their husband's relatives. Most widows face the risk of being disinherited
by relatives. For women in rural areas like Bumala, cases of property rights
abuse are common. Women are often chased out of their matrimonial homes as
soon as the husband dies."

However, the study further established that the victims of violence are
reluctant to talk about their experiences or even negotiate for better
medical attention.

By KEN OPALA, Daily Nation, Kenya 10/12/2009