Working Women's Perceptions of Power, Gender Based Violence and HIV Infections Risks: An Explorative Study Among Female Employees in the Airline Business

This paper was submitted by Rachel Johanna Freeman under the supervision of Professor Gretchen du Plessis, as part of the Master of Arts Degree in Social Behavior Studies in HIV/AIDS (Sociology) with the University of South Africa. The paper is an explorative study among female employees in an airline business (Air Namibia). Five women participated in in-depth, face-to-face interviews. The findings show that all of the participants experienced power imbalances and GBV in their intimate relationships. All of the women reported some form of violence. The study provides recommendations for the development and successful implementation of workplace policy and programs to protect and promote women’s rights.