Liberia’s HIV Crisis Deepens: 36,000 Cases and a Silent Epidemic Among Women
Health authorities in Liberia are sounding the alarm as new data reveals a sharp increase in HIV infections, with women bearing the overwhelming brunt of the epidemic.
A Nation at Risk: Infections Climb to 36,000
Fresh data from UNAIDS Spectrum indicates that 36,000 Liberians are now living with HIV, a significant jump from 34,000 just last year. This persistent rise signals critical failures in the country’s prevention and treatment infrastructure, threatening to reverse years of hard-won progress in the fight against AIDS.
The National AIDS Commission (NAC) issued the stark warning as it launched nationwide activities ahead of World AIDS Day. NAC Chairperson Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “Sustaining the gains we have made is only possible when we take full responsibility for our health.”
The Silent Attack on Liberian Women
The most alarming aspect of the new figures is the disproportionate impact on women. Dr. Nuta described the situation as “a silent attack on Liberian women,” revealing that they account for nearly two-thirds of all HIV cases in the country.
The statistics paint a grim picture: HIV prevalence among women aged 15–49 now stands at 1.2%, double the 0.6% recorded among men. This translates to approximately 24,000 Liberian women currently living with the virus.
Roots of the Disparity: Why Women Are More Vulnerable
Health experts point to a confluence of biological, social, and economic factors driving this gender gap. Biological vulnerabilities are compounded by deeply entrenched social pressures, economic hardship, and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Gender-based violence and poverty continue to make women disproportionately vulnerable to infection, creating a perfect storm that current public health efforts have failed to adequately address.
An Unsustainable Model: The Perils of Donor Dependence
A central theme of the NAC’s warning is Liberia’s over-reliance on international donors for its HIV response. While testing and awareness campaigns have seen some success, the system remains dangerously donor-dependent—an approach experts describe as unsustainable.
“If we are to protect our citizens, especially women, we must rebuild a nationally owned, gender-sensitive response,” Dr. Nuta emphasized. The Commission is now calling for increased domestic funding, stronger community participation, and scaled-up investments in prevention and treatment services.
A Call to Action: Beyond Small Steps
As part of activities leading to World AIDS Day on December 1, the NAC plans a series of nationwide engagements, including mobile testing, community dialogues, and youth-focused outreach.
But with infections rising and women carrying the greatest burden, Dr. Nuta issued a final, urgent warning: “The time for small steps is over. Liberia must mobilize, unite, and act boldly to turn the tide against HIV.”
The success of this mobilization will determine whether Liberia can transform its AIDS response and protect a generation of women from an epidemic that shows no signs of abating.
This report is based on information from Knews Online.