Economic Impact of HIV/AIDS and Stigmatization on Women in Nigeria: Challenges for the Actualization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS)

Abstract

Trapped between the shackles of the monster called poverty, haunted and manacled by the lethal dose of shame i.e. the millennium exterminator called “HIV/AIDS”, the Nigerian woman is thrown into the oblivion of stigmatization, discrimination and rejection. This situation has worsened her already precarious socio-economic wellbeing thereby jeopardizing her ability at self-actualization and economic independence. However, without the government taking very crucial steps to stem the tide of the real killer disease (stigma), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which the whole world including Nigeria are striving to attain may be a herculean task. This paper attempts on explanation of the myths and misperception about HIV/AIDS, the stigma arising there from and consequently the challenges that must be overcome towards the actualization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n1p205