The Ministry of Health Jamaica in its National HIV/STI Program (NHP) confirms that the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS) doubled among women compared to men between the late 1990s and 2011 (Ministry of Health Jamaica, 2011). These statistics state that despite the increased general awareness made by agencies such as the NHP, other social factors have influenced its spread among more women than men. The social vulnerability of women is linked to a secretive culture that perceives women as passive sexual objects, who are expected to perform any sexual act necessary for the gratification of the male, for monetary gain or otherwise, regardless of whether the male engage in any activity that makes you more susceptible to HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Jamaican women has been attributed to high cases of female unemployment or economic dependence on their male partners, the cultural glorification of sex that stereotypes women as sexual objects, and the discrimination faced by women who cohabit with the virus. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay First, high cases of unemployment or economic dependence on their male partners have led to an increase in HIV/AIDS among Jamaican women. Although Jamaica is a matrifocal society, gender biases prevent women from obtaining well-paid jobs or in some cases are paid much less than their male counterparts. Additionally, some women who have no formal education or post-secondary or primary education have difficulty obtaining well-paid jobs. As a result, some women may engage in prostitution as a means to provide for themselves and their children, which increases their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. In countering this belief, Figueroa et al (2008) stated that “Many sex workers report that they dislike this profession, but that it is better paid than most other jobs they can do, such as domestic work, and they need of work. money to take care of their children (pp.569). This statement affirms women's social awareness of the large gender inequality that exists and the valuing of women as mere sexual objects, rather than as possible breadwinners to support and socialize the next generation. On the other hand, some women who are economically dependent on men and sexually promiscuous are often forced to perform sexual acts to maintain their source of income. These women sometimes experience sexual or other abuse from their male colleagues as they have negligible say in relationship matters. Additionally, many young women engage in intergenerational relationships, with older men for monetary and other incentives, and are prone to contracting the virus. Hickling, Gibson, Matthies, and Morgan (2015) pointed out that young adolescent girls were three times more likely to contract HIV if they had sex with older men (p.216). This highlights the "sugar daddy" phenomenon, where girls engage in this "accepted form of prostitution", increasing their vulnerability to the virus. Second, the cultural glorification of sex and the perception of women as sexual objects increases women's vulnerability. to contract HIV/AIDS. Jamaican popular culture, influenced by the media, advocates women engaging in early sexual activity, to “find and keep a man” andMost women who act on this support are unaware of the negative implications of sex and put themselves at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. . Forbes (2006) cited the sexually explicit dimension of dancehall culture, both its lyrics and practices in the dance arena pushing women to be highly sexualized. This highlights that dancehall culture socializes and also reflects the society to which "big" women offer themselves sexually.appease their partner, regardless of whether they are "wives" or "friends", since it is the man's choice to structure the sexual relations. Therefore, unsafe sexual practices and attitudes are perceived as okay, and this cultural baton is passed on despite numerous social interventions aimed at correcting existing sexual perceptions. Furthermore, Jamaican popular culture encourages males to have multiple sexual partners without using condoms as this interferes with their sexual pleasure, increasing women's vulnerability to contracting HIV/AIDS. Figueroa et al (2008), highlighted that, despite the increase in condom use among the population, women are often expected to stop using them after the first sexual interactions, as a sign of trust, and older men sometimes they don't use condoms because they are used to doing so. they don't know how to use it or think it might interfere with their erections (pp.569). This helps explain the optionality of condom use among Jamaicans, which constitutes a barrier to sexual pleasure with one's partner. This is a socially entrenched perspective that the use of “rubber” can kill a man's sexual dominance, rather than a means of protecting himself and his partner from sexually transmitted diseases. Women who refuse to adhere to prevailing sexual norms are often victims of sexual violence. Women's sexual docility gives men the right to obtain sex from any woman they desire, and if there is any form of sexual resistance, women are often victims of sexual abuse or rape. Postmodern culture often portrays sexual restrictions as outdated and even unnecessary, and shames women as frigid or abnormal. Furthermore, the accepted dress code for women, to announce their femininity, is taken by some as a justifiable excuse for why women suffer sexual abuse. as "they ask". This has negative physiological implications for women, who would be unaware of their abuser's HIV/AIDS status. Furthermore, women who are sexually abused are seen as weak and, out of fear of being ostracized, may refuse healthcare, which increases their risk of developing HIV/AIDS. Finally, the discrimination faced by women living with the virus discourages other women from knowing their HIV/AIDS status. HIV-positive women are often discriminated against by healthcare workers and this prevents them from seeking healthcare. Jamaica Aids support for life (2012) argued that “most HIV-positive women…perceive health workers' judgmental attitude towards them and health workers' reluctance to listen to their concerns.” (pp. 21) Many HIV-positive women fear the stigma and discrimination they may face when accessing healthcare as they believe there is no true confidentiality and professionalism in the Jamaican healthcare service. Therefore, this prevents other women from getting tested for fear of being ostracized since taking an HIV/AIDS test signals the possibility of having the virus. HIV-positive women also suffer violent and discriminatory acts. They may be subject to violent acts and.