Hlatywayo, Anniegrace MapangisanaAnniegrace MapangisanaHlatywayo2025-02-132025-02-132025978-3-98989-042-8https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/106045In the midst of much reverence and sanctification within the church and communities in the African context, the institution of marriage is identified as a major risk factor and a ‘potential death trap’ for many married women given the current scale of the HIV & AIDS pandemic. Increasing studies reflect that marriage is a major route of HIV transmission. Sexual intercourse within marriage places women at risk of HIV infection primarily from their spouses’ extramarital sexual relations. Whilst this study acknowledges that both husbands and wives are at risk of contracting HIV from their spouses, a myriad of barriers at individual, relational and community level inclusive of socio-cultural, biological and gender inequalities render married women more susceptible to infection. In order to preserve the sanctity of life for women within marital unions, this chapter argues for a theological framework that offers life and dignity to all of humanity. Additionally, in order to redress the gendered nature of the HIV & AIDS pandemic, this study calls for the transformation of harmful masculinities through a bold church and community praxis as mitigation strategies. Drawing from selected works of Chitando on HIV & AIDS, firstly, the study argues for the active engagement of men in the HIV & AIDS dis- course. Secondly, the study calls for solidarity between men and women as a strategy for redressing the challenge of married women’s vulnerability to HIV infection.engInstitution of marriageHIV & AIDSbold churchcommunity praxisChitandomarried womentransformative masculinities300bookpart