HIV/AIDS & Gender - Research & Book

Contrary to the general feeling that women are the carriers of the incurable but preventable HIV / AIDS, the global pandemic which is wiping out lives at a lightining speed, is said to be driven mainly by men.

According to a research carried by Helen Jackson in her book entitled AIDS Africa - Continent in crisis, men holds the key to the reduction of HIV cases because they usually determine the circumstances of intercourse and often refuse to protect themselves and their partners. "Men are the main initiators of sexual activity. As clients of sex workers, men usually demand 'skin to skin' (unprotected sex) thereby endangering themselves and their female patners,"says Jackson.

Jackson blamed it on the ideals of manhood in many cultures that include strength, courage and dominance which accept men as having an uncontrollable sex drive saying it lets them off the hook of responsibility.

Where women fear violence from men says the report, women are least likely to be able to negotiate safe sex or condom use.

In the research, Jackson also mentions alcohol as a major contributing factor reducing their (men) sense of responsibility.

She says little blame or stigma is attributed when a man says he had casual sex because he was drunk. "While a woman in the same circumstance, on the other hand would usually be put down by both men and women as cheap or a whore," she explains.

She further says ideals needs to be generated that a real man cares enough about his wife to be faithful to her or, if this is not achieved or he already has HIV, that he is responsible and caring enough towards any partner to use a condom. "Its time men starts acting in thought for their partners," she says.

Fedson Kamwaza, one of the Directors of Community Youth Aids Organisation (CYAO) concurred with the report and bashed men for their negative attitude of viewing women as sex machines saying the men will be answerable to God for their nasty acts. "Why should men force themselves on to women? Wondered Kamwaza , "At times men behave like wild animals." He however blamed women for giving in to the situation.

Kamwaza has an advice to all the women, "ignore the men, that's the first principle." Endorsing men's important role as fathers may further encourage responsible sexual behaviour. Men need to take greater responsibility to protect their partners and future children from HIV and also help to care for family members who are sick.

Short term goal is to increase the number of men who will at least take the responsibility to use condoms.

Sexual intercourse between men and women is responsible for over 70 % of all HIV infections worldwide.