Final answer:
Historically, women have been left out of the HIV narrative due to the early classification of the disease as a "gay man's disease," the stigma and misinformation about the virus, and the link of HIV/AIDS to poverty which disproportionately affected women.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women have historically been left out of the HIV narrative for several reasons. One major reason is that HIV/AIDS was initially branded as a "gay man's disease" during the early years of the epidemic. This label emerged because the first recognized cases were predominantly among gay and bisexual men. Medical professionals and the media reinforced this perception, which led to the marginalization of other affected groups, including women.
The stigma and misinformation associated with HIV/AIDS also contributed to women being overlooked. Erroneous beliefs and homophobia hindered public health responses and delayed the recognition of HIV as a broader public health issue. This affected the funding for research and the development of medical treatments that could help women. Moreover, societal biases marginalized women's health issues, making them less of a focus in research and public health initiatives.
The link of HIV/AIDS to poverty further complicated the narrative for women, particularly in African American communities and sub-Saharan Africa, where infection rates were and continue to be significant amongst women. Poor access to healthcare and the feminization of poverty meant that women, more than men, faced barriers to early detection and treatment, increasing the likelihood of transmission.