How do HIV/AIDS affected households cope in Africa?
Three main coping strategies appear to be adopted among affected households. Savings are used up or assets sold; assistance is received from other households; and the composition of households tends to change, with fewer adults of prime working age in the households. Almost invariable, the burden of coping rests on women, as there is an increased demand for their income-earning labour, household work, childcare and care of the sick. As men fall ill, women often have to step into their roles outside the homes. In parts of Zimbabwe, for example, women are moving into the traditionally male-dominated carpentry-industry. This often results in women having less time to prepare food and for other tasks at home. “I used to stay with the children, but now it is a problem. I have to work in the fields. Last year I had more money to hire labour so the crops got weeded more often. This year I had to do it myself.” – Angelina, Zimbabwe.5 Tapping into savings if available and taking on more debt is
