Your daily Selection of IRIN Africa PlusNews reports, 10/7/2004

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U N I T E D N A T I O N S

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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[These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

CONTENT:

1 - SWAZILAND: Men urged to take more responsibility in curbing HIV/AIDS

1 - SWAZILAND: Men urged to take more responsibility in curbing HIV/AIDS

MBABANE, 7 October (PLUSNEWS) - Heterosexual men need to take more

responsibility for trying to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Southern

Africa, according to regional health experts.

At a workshop held in Swaziland's capital, Mbabane, on Thursday, health

workers, government officials and AIDS activists called on men across the

region to assume a greater role in tackling the disease. At 38.6 percent,

Swaziland has the one of world's highest rates of HIV infection.

" As we know, in sub-Saharan Africa HIV is spread primarily through

heterosexual means and, again, it is well known that Africa, by and large,

remains a patriarchal society. Hence, the participation of men in matters

of sexual and reproductive health is crucial, " Swaziland's Health

Minister, Sipho Shongwe, told participants.

He noted that anti-AIDS interventions had so far focused on empowering

women to negotiate safer sex with their partners.

The principal secretary for health in Swaziland, Kunene, explained

the challenges of addressing male sexuality in a traditional society such

as Swaziland.

" In this country various programmes have been established to ensure men's

constructive involvement in sexual and reproductive health matters, and

the involvement of various traditional structures in these initiatives has

ensured that our approach is culturally acceptable, even as they embrace

universally agreed upon principles, " said Kunene.

The workshop, a joint initiative between the health ministry and the

National AIDS Commission, funded by the British Commonwealth Secretariat

(COMSEC), was aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and bolstering gender

sensitivity among males in the country.

There were concerns that ongoing ignorance about how HIV was transmitted,

coupled with poverty, unemployment and alcohol abuse, contributed to risky

sexual behaviour by males.

" I would like to note that a man under the influence of illicit drugs and

umqombothi (a traditional Swazi brew made from sorghum) will most likely

be violent to his sexual partner, and may not be able to control his

sexual discretion. He is also likely to engage in forced sexual

relationships and rape, " commented ph Amuzu, the Commonwealth Chief

Programmes Officer.

Women's groups have welcomed the greater emphasis on the role of men in

fighting the virus.

" It's about time that men recognise that AIDS in Africa is a

heterosexually transmitted disease, and it is usually the man who is the

one who infects his partner. It is important not to blame, but to

understand; it is important not to condemn, but to effect change in

attitude and behaviour, " said Sempiwe Hlope, founder of the women's

HIV/AIDS support organisation, Swazis for Positive Living.

Hlope herself was infected with HIV by her husband, who denied

responsibility and accused her of having an affair with another man.

[ENDS]

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