Social contexts and HIV vulnerabilities among South Asian women in the greater Toronto area: Examining social norms. Issue 2 (1st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawa, Roula; Underhill, Angela; Logie, Carmen; Loutfy, Mona
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 39:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2017.1397157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We explored how social norms interact with beliefs and social structures (power relations, emotional relations, and gendered division of labor) to influence the experiences of South Asian women with HIV in Canada. The first author conducted semi-structured interviews, and identified five themes using thematic analysis: connection to community/religious institutions, family honor, and restrained/prohibited discussion of sexuality. These norms reproduce hegemonic masculinity; constrain women's social, relational, and economic power; and elevate HIV vulnerability. We present findings to challenge hegemonic masculinity at the international level, and of developing strategies to address both interfamily gender-based violence and racism faced by the South Asians in Canada.