Urban Housing for Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Congo: An Issue Pushed to the Background

In Congo, women are most affected by HIV/AIDS: at least 4.1% of Congolese women are infected. Women living with HIV/AIDS face discrimination and stigmatization on a daily basis, despite the fact that they are entitled to the same health and other rights as all Congolese citizens. They are already lat a disadvantage in a country where the some of the provisions in family code are flawed and where society imposes moral and physical abuse on widows so that the situation of widows living with HIV is of concern. The purchasing power of women infected with HIV/AIDS is low, which does not differ from that of the average Congolese woman, and is further reduced because of their state of vulnerability.

There is still very little research or analysis on the issue of housing for HIV-positive women in Congo. Analyses on the psychological, social and economic policies in regards to HIV/AIDS, however, have already been made. In this article,we will build on these analyses to show how HIV-infected women in urban areas are also affected by housing problems and how it affects their well-being and health as well as that of their families.

The Socio-Economic Status of Women with HIV

In Congo, it is estimated that the average wage (SMIC) is 54,000 FCFA (U.S. $ 108) per month in the formal sector. The Report on Human Development in 2009 published by the UNDP indicates that the Congo is among those countries wherein at least 74% of the population lives on less than 1,000 FCFA (USD 2) per day despite oil revenues and the unemployment rate is unknown. The probability of not surviving to age 40 is 29%. Government expenditure on health as percentage of total government expenditure does not exceed 4%, far below the 15% recommended by the African Union.
All these factors have put a dark cloud over women living with HIV/AIDS who are among the poorest in the country. Those who work in the private or public sector may also be worried about their HIV status. In the private sector, they are more vulnerable to losing their jobs, mainly because of illness and repeated absence from office. They also have fewer opportunities for advancement or promotion and fear unfair dismissals or changes through which they may lose financial and material benefits.

When support for health is not guaranteed for workers in some companies and institutions, it can also reduce the assets of HIV-positive women who see their health costs rise because the treatment of opportunistic diseases is not free.

Many women with HIV are in the “informal” sector of small business and can barely make a monthly profit of 100,000 FCFA (USD 200) to support their families. Others are totally dependent on their parents, especially the younger ones.

As for the reasons given above, the security order in the sense of adequate housing in the long-term for women living with HIV/AIDS is unlikely. Because they have very few financial resources, they cannot buy a plot (from 5 million CFA francs or USD 10,000) or rent a house with acceptable conditions (100,000 FCFA or USD 200). They are often forced to rent small rooms in unhygienic conditions (from 30,000 CFA francs or USD 60). Getting a house for rent has become a challenge due to population growth.
Even when they work and have a house, these women are often subjected to ridicule and stigmatization. Some also are refused housing because of their HIV status.

This should be of interest to existing initiatives that incorporate the fight against AIDS in companies. A glimmer of hope also emerges with the inclusion of a section or a position of responsibility on HIV/AIDS in the trade unions, which among others are supposed to defend the rights of infected workers.

Married Life and Widowhood for Women with HIV
Various testimonies show that women with HIV are subjected to psychological and even physical abuse from their spouses when they are the first to take the HIV test. They are accused of having “brought the disease into the home” and sometimes chased with or without their children from the marital home by their spouse or in-laws.

The theft of widows’ property is not foreign to Congolese women, regardless of their status in society. On the death of their husbands, many women are abused and can be dispossessed of their property, whatever the matrimonial regime under which they were married. The fear of witchcraft, fear and ignorance of rights are all factors that make widows leave their property, including their homes. This puts them in a precarious situation. Added to that is a situation common to all widows and widowers: when the HIV stigma occurs, they face threats of blackmail or family members often want to disclose their HIV status and insult them.
Poor Housing and Its Implications for Children of HIV-positive Women
Other HIV-positive women are stigmatized by their landlords and neighbors and are forced to continually change homes or neighborhoods. This implies that children must change schools and lose social ties, friendships, and some benchmarks that they had acquired in their previous neighborhood. But the permanent changing of residence increases stress and can have psychological consequences as well.

The stigma is such that some women living with HIV/AIDS must live with the constant fear that their HIV status has been disclosed.
That is why the actions of HIV prevention must also focus on the fight against the stigmatization of and the discrimination against people living with HIV.

Improving the Income of HIV-Positive Women to Provide Them with Adequate Housing: How Realistic is It?
We must recognize that the socio-economic consequences of HIV/AIDS have not all been given the same priority. Discussing adequate housing for women living with HIV/AIDS can sound less important compared to prevention efforts and access to treatment and care. If you look at existing initiatives aimed at improving the income of HIV-positive women through income-generating activities, however, interventions designed to meet minimum basic needs are ignored.
There should be a comprehensive study to see how micro credits and support for income-generating activities have enabled HIV-positive women to satisfy their needs sustainably, including their needs for stable housing. Because the amounts granted are often too small to generate significant amounts of income, conditions for granting and monitoring this financial support are often difficult.

Housing Provided by the Congolese State: a Boon for Women with HIV?
The housing issues are more of social and legal issues, however, when the State undertakes to build socialized housing, it is hoped that all Congolese citizens are entitled to it, without discrimination. For some time now there have been initiatives from the private sector and the State for socialized housing. In Congo, the creation of the Congolese Bank for Housing is a public-private partnership that supports the Government’s efforts in promoting the use of innovative and sustainable mechanisms from the private sector for financing real estate and housing. Thus the Congolese government has earmarked 53 million CFA francs (USD 106 million) to build 400 socialized houses. Is this a glimmer of hope?
We need to look for more information about this project, its criteria, and its conditions and, in particular, we need to ask how HIV-positive women who are doubly vulnerable in comparison to their peers will benefit from such programs. This requires concerted action by both the Government and civil society. The media certainly has a role to play in publicizing the issue of housing and HIV/AIDS in the country.

Translation edited by Sarah Hurwit

Sylvie Niombo

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