Asian women fight for health rights

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The sixth international conference on Aids in Asia and the Pacific, held in Melbourne, heard experts warn that in future years Asia could overtake Africa in HIV infection rates.
"There are cultural taboos that prevent the old and the young, parents and children from getting this message across," said Princess Tukuaho, wife of the Prime Minister of Tonga.
The first lady of Malaysia, Siti Hasmah Binti Haji Mohd Ali, told the conference that many women are at risk because they lack the power to negotiate safe sex with their husbands.
Indian activist Celina D'Costa said: "The therapy is not available to most of us because it is so expensive. Most of us have never seen these pills. We should be receiving treatment and services

Celina d'Costa: "Most of us have never seen these pills"

but our voice is not heard."
Meanwhile a survey has found that more than half of American women avoid going to the gynaecologist because of lack of money. "Cultural fears and taboos play a role," said Dr Luis Pacheco: "In the Hispanic community some women believe that they will lose their virginity if they get a gynaecological examination." Martin Flynn