This report sets out to answer some of the questions put to Amnesty women victims of violence. It looks at violence against women, particularly focuses on rape committed by both security officials and private individuals. Women subjected to violence are not adequately protected by the law and commit violence against women continue to operate with impunity. Gender-based violence not only exposes women to sexually transmitted diseases, but also to the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. The high levels of HIV in the population mean that sexual violence against women and children carries a significant risk of transmission of the virus and of subsequent illness and death.