Zimbabwe is hard-hit by HIV/AIDS.The epidemic was first detected in 1991.
Today, according to the latest UNAIDS estimates, 1 person in 4 is HIV positive. Each week, in Zimbabwe, 2 000 die of AIDS or from a related disease. In a population of 12 million people, one million children are AIDS orphans. Life expectancy has fallen from 56 in 1999 to less than 30 in 2003.
An indicator of the epidemic's extension are the swamped graveyards, the authorities must start building new ones to fill the increasing need. In 1997, the "emergency period on AIDS" was declared, this allowed Aids victims to have access and can finally use the cheaper generic drugs that delay the virus. The situation is such that the "emergency period" has been extended to 2008.
In 2000, the Government issued a new tax, each citizen is asked to designate 3% of their income towards fighting AIDS.
One Zimbabwean out of 2 is unemployed and, 1 out of 4 lives below the poverty line. Despite the State's involvement, the epidemic's advance is not showing any sign of slowing down. The country is going through a profound economic crisis and the weight of traditions has an impact on people's everyday choices. The use of condoms is banished, women are often forced into prostitution. These women are also infected by their husbands. AIDS still retains a strong social stigma. If a woman who's husband has died from AIDS talks about her sickness, her very own family rejects her. She's therefore alone in taking care for her children, many of these infected. Today, 33% of pregnant women live with HIV/AIDS.
This year, the demographic growth of Zimbabwe will be equal to zero.