OBJECTIVE:
to discuss access to health as affected by aspects arising from gender stereotypes and gender-specific stigmas among women prostitutes, women who have abortions and women with HIV in Brazil.
METHODS:
a narrative literature review of recent Brazilian studies.
RESULTS:
barriers to access to health services by prostitutes, women having abortions and women living with HIV are a consequence of the connections between health problems, gender stereotypes, AIDS-related stigma and social inequalities and increase these women's social vulnerability.
CONCLUSION:
actions in the health management, in legislative spheres and other sectors that affect health, together with daily health service practices, may contribute to expanding access through interventions focused on recognition of women's autonomy and guarantee of their sexual and reproductive rights.
Social Stigma; Prostitution; Abortion, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Review Literature as Topic