The Relationship between HIV/AIDS and Maternal Mortality: The Zimbabwean Case

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Public International Law and Human Rights, grade: A-, Ewha Womans University (Graduate School of International Studies), course: Women and Human Rights, language: English, abstract: One of the major fundamental principles of modern development theories is the acknowledgement that HIV/AIDS is at the root of high levels of maternal mortality in third world countries and that a decrease in HIV/AIDS should correspond directly with a decline in maternal mortality statistics. This is premised on the assumption that, it is a reflection of positive development, where development as a field of analysis is concerned. Whereas this principle fits in most of the development situations across the third world, it does not seem to apply in the case of Zimbabwe. Health statistics in Zimbabwe reflect that while HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among the adult population has declined over the years (from 26.5% in 2002 to 13.7% in 2009), maternal mortality ratio has increased (from 283 per 100 000 live births in 1994 to 1300 per 100 000 live births in 2009) as revealed by the Central Statistical Report (2010) and the Zimbabwe 2004 MDG Report.

Tsitsi is a Youth and Women Empowerment Specialist, a policy coordinator and a specialist in project planning, implementation and review. She holds a Master of International Studies (Development Cooperation) from Ewha Womans University where she was also conferred a Masters in International Studies (Women and Development). She also holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Zimbabwe. She has a degree in Politics and Administration (University of Zimbabwe), a certificate and Diploma in Human Resources Management, a certificate in Professional Leadership (Ewha Womans University) and a certificate in Conflict Sensitive Approaches to Humanitarian Assistance and Peace Building (UNIFEM). Tsitsi has wide experience in designing youth empowerment, women and community development projects in response to community needs. Since 2003 she has been working for the Government of Zimbabwe in women empowerment and youth empowerment activities. Currently she is a District Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Development in Zimbabwe. She is also a Senior Lecturer at the Center for Development Studies.