HIV and domestic violence: intersections in the lives of married women in India.

Gender inequality is driving two distinct yet interlinked epidemics among women in India: HIV and AIDS and domestic violence. As domestic violence is increasingly recognized and HIV infection expands, policy and programs do not reflect the interlinked risks and consequences in married women's lives. This article seeks to establish the nexus between HIV and AIDS and domestic violence and identify potential areas for a state-led response. In a health and human rights approach, it assesses women's vulnerability to each epidemic at the individual, societal, and program levels to analyze direct and underlying factors that determine women's risk. Three areas are identified as opportunities for an integrated response: strengthen HIV and domestic violence strategies and address their overlap; mainstream gender; and improve data and research.