NEWS
AIDS GENDER VIOLENCE AND HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS from [email protected]

Members from many countries examined cultural, legal, political and other factors linking violence against women and HIV/AIDS. They expressed the importance of being able to share information about "what works" across countries and regions.

A member from Bangladesh discussed activities of the women's organisation Unnayan Shakti to observe World AIDS Day 2001, including public awareness campaigns and advocacy among policy-makers. The member noted that women must be included in key government health policy circles and all policy-makers must become more knowledgeable about gender aspects of HIV/AIDS.

A member shared her concerns about reports of the rape of babies in South Africa, by men believing that raping a virgin will cure AIDS. Some members noted that the virgin myth exists in Botswana, Swaziland and other countries where HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Another member countered that rape motivated by the myth of "virgin cleansing" is rare. The underlying cause of all rape is deeply rooted in cultural values that legitimize men's ready sexual access to and control over women, by women's accession to those values, and by a failure of law enforcement. Other members agreed, noting the various factors leading to rape of babies, including culture, poverty and alcohol abuse. A member argued that "high profile" individuals need to publicise their opposition to all forms of violence against women.

A member cited a study by the CIETafrica (Community Information Empowerment and Transparency) finding that cultural values support sexual violence in South Africa, while laws against rape often are not enforced. Another member from South Africa spoke poignantly of the impact of the pandemic on the entire society, including educational institutions, and our need to know more about the causes in order to shape effective solutions.

Data show that childhood trauma related to rape, abuse, incest, stigma and isolation due to AIDS is becoming common in many schools in the southern African region, and girls are at particular risk -- at home, on the streets as well as in schools. This situation contributes to the rapid spread of the disease. Yet there are also important examples of community-based interventions against sexual violence in South Africa, where local politicians have created regular forums where mothers and daughters can discuss sexuality and principals arranged for counseling for students. In Swaziland, the spread of HIV led the government to reinstate the tradition chastity rite of "umchwasho", banning sexual relations for unmarried girls under the age of 18.

A member described the particular plight of the widows, who suffer many forms of discrimination and violence at the hands of their communities, families and society at large. Widows of AIDS victims are often forced into sexually violent mourning and burial rites, may be forced into marrying a brother-in-law, or accused of "murdering" their husbands and be killed or chased from their homes. Widows' daughters are also at particular risk, forced to leave school, and exposed to rape or early marriage.

A member of the NGO Silent Tears discussed the lack of information about the link between domestic violence and HIV/AIDS, and their efforts to raise public awareness and to help women victims of domestic violence to protect themselves from unsafe sex with their partners.

Cross-posted from: [email protected]

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