HIV/AIDS poses the greatest threat to the prosperity of many contemporary southern African countries, with the rate of infection soaring every year. In the male-dominated southern African societies, the inequality between men and women has seen an increase in the rate of HIV infection among the latter. Several NGOs, civic groups and the United Nations have championed the importance of involving women in any effort to fight the spread of the disease. However, sadly women and girls are commonly discriminated against with respect to education and they often lacked sufficient knowledge.

To alleviate the situation, many women groups have been formed which educate women, offering them support and counselling in fighting the devastating effects of the diseases. Governments in countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have also championed the inclusion of women and their need to take active roles in HIV prevention programs.

Women writers and artists have also joined the fight by writing in vernacular languages and painting art forms which increase awareness of the debilitating effects of the disease. Women have also produced arts and crafts such as beadwork and stone sculptures which are richly infused with metaphors urging women to be vigilant all the times to arrest the spread of the disease.