Chilobwa SK; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeD6465.
Young Women's Christian Association, Lusaka, Zambia
Issue: Most cultural practices relating to sexuality and sex increase womens/girls vulnerabilty to HIV/AIDS infection and transmission. Prominent in africa, these practices are culturally sanctuioned and hinder efforts aimed at eliminating them. Lack of knowledge and misinformation about HIV/AIDS may actually lead to an increase in these harmful practices. Description: This paper will highlight some of these harmful practices e.g. early marriages, female genital mutilation, Levirate, Initiation rites, dry sex and cleansing of a widow after death of spouse. These elements will involve an analysis of how they influence HIV vulnerabilityand prevention among women/girls. this paper will also involve an analysis of the community need for sensitization and educational activities for traditional leaders, promotion of the role of media in sensitizing and educating the public on the link between HIV/AIDS and harmful cultural practices. This paper is based on personal experiences as a reproductive Health specialist with Y. W. C. A, UNFPA, Youth Advisory Group (YAG/ ZIHP) and as a Radio presenter (Dj) with Choice fm in Zambia. Lesson learned: The proliferation of promoting the role media insensitizing and educating the public is an effective way to: access, educate, and support people and agencies engaged in advocacy work at the community level especially at rural level. Recommendation: Promote the role of the media, positve aspects of cultural values, alternative rite of passage as in Kenya so as to move forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Africa
- Communication
- Developing Countries
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Humans
- Infection
- Kenya
- Research
- Residence Characteristics
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexuality
- Zambia
- education
- ethnology
Other ID:
UI: 102284380
From Meeting Abstracts