Understanding Pakhtun Woman’s Vulnerability in Negotiation with their Husbands for HIV/AIDS Screening

Abstract

Unequal treatment of females within families is a common phenomenon and is a core concern of feminist perspectives (Macionis, 2012; Haralambos & Holborn, 2013). In patriarchal societies women are not welcome to discuss and negotiate with men (Thompson, 1998), and this pattern prevails in private relationships as well (Saunders et al. 2017). Framed under qualitative research design, this study aims to understand Pakhtun women’s vulnerability in negotiation with their husbands for HIV/AIDS screening in Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Purposive sampling technique has been utilized to select samples from the population of interest whereby a total of 8 samples were selected in reaching the saturation point. For collection of the information, an interview guide was designed with relevance to the research questions of the current study. The collected information has been analyzed thematically. Findings show that women exercise limited sexual authority and men are in control when it comes to personal relationships. There is very much less space for women to discuss and negotiate with men regarding use of precautionary measures. Men consider discussion and negotiation as a competing behavior from women. Thereby women are apprehended of problems in marital relationships and angry reply from husbands in discussing and negotiating with men regarding private family relationships and use of precautionary measures. Men being vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in the study area due to high rate of emigration and inability of women to discuss and negotiate regarding screening tests and use of precautionary measures are increasing the spread of HIV/AIDS among families.