Now it is a proven fact that sexual violence has a higher infection rate of HIV/AID among women. Though, HIV is not a dominant epidemic in Pakistan, yet, coupled with the extremely low awareness of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, as well as growing number of cases, the AIDS epidemic is poised to take a hold in Pakistan. The National AIDS Program’s latest figures show that around 3,000 HIV cases have so far been reported since 1986, but UN and government estimates put the number of HIV/AIDS cases between 70,000 and 80,000 with the vast majority going unreported due to social taboos about sex and victims’ fears of discrimination.

It is suspected that ever increasing sexual violence against women may also play a facilitating role in the further spread of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a woman is raped in every two hours in Pakistan. Women in general also have lower socio-economic status, less mobility and less decision-making power than do men, all of these aspects contribute to their HIV vulnerability. Keeping in view this factor, another project which WRCP is looking forward is to raise awareness about the relationship between sexual violence and HIV/AIDS. Several activities such as Advocacy with religious leaders and local communities, to reduce stigma and discrimination, the production of IEC materials, mainstreaming HIV into existing mass organization structures and facilitating sensitive media reporting are  some of the actions being carefully planned to execute the project.