Calls on nation to exercise responsible sexual behaviour
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER OF HEALTH, Hon. Marcella Liburd declared that there is an increase in women infected with HIV/AIDS in the Federation and is calling on persons to exercise good judgment and responsible sexual behaviour in the continued fight against the epidemic.
Minister Liburd was at the time delivering her World AIDS Day Message to the nation under the theme, ‘Show me Love: Love is Honest, Respectful and Protective’.
World AIDS Day is globally celebrated each year on December 1 and the Minister stated that her ministry hopes to renew its efforts by increasing awareness of preventative strategies as well as upscale opportunities for care, treatment and support for those infected with the virus.
“Since 1984 there have been 310 cases of HIV reported to the Ministry of Health. The majority of these cases are between the ages of 24 and 49 years. Gradually, there has been a feminsation of the epidemic with increasing numbers of young women becoming infected with the virus. While this may reflect access to services and the willingness to undergo voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, it is likely to also represent a genuine increase in the number of women who are becoming infected. This trend begs for further exploration of the underlying issues that increased vulnerability to HIV and is the focus of this year’s world AIDS campaign,” she said.
Minister Liburd highlighted a number of factors why HIV statistics for women are on the rise, noting that traditionally the fairer sex is expected to adhere to societal norms.
“There are several factors that increase female vulnerability, and thus their risk of becoming infected with HIV. Some are socio-cultural and others are biological in nature. It is our collective societal duty to remove barriers so that all persons can enjoy the fundamental rights and freedom that are accorded to all human beings irrespective of gender, social standing or sexual orientation. The reality of today’s woman is that she is expected to adhere to societal norms that perpetuate a culture of silence surrounding sex that dictates that good women are expected to be ignorant about sex and passive in sexual relation.
“This makes it difficult for women to be informed as well as to be proactive in negotiation of safe sex. Women are expected to practice fidelity in relationships with partners who subscribe to a different value system, and who are encouraged to pursue multiple sexual relations concurrently, inadvertently placing their female partners at risk of infection.”
She indicated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is aware of the cultural and societal value placed on child-bearing and motherhood, which, she is of the view, presents a significant dilemma for women who could not meet this ideal while using barrier methods or exploring non-penetrative sex as safer sexual options.
Liburd stressed that economic dependency is another factor that increases women’s vulnerability to HIV. She explained that research has shown that this factor results from low wages, which makes it more likely that women would exchange sex for money or for favours; and that they are less likely to succeed in negotiating protection and less likely to leave a relationship they perceive to be risky.
She however pointed out that the MOH is an advocate for increased opportunity through skills development for all persons, particularly women, so that they could increase their earning potential in order to meet basic needs without resorting to economic dependence.
With regards to safe sex, Liburd said male influence makes it difficult for women to be informed and proactive in the negotiation of this act, but are expected to practice fidelity in relationships with partners who subscribe to a different value system and who are encouraged to currently pursue multiple sexual relations and heedlessly placing their female partners at risk for infections.
She also noted that violence against girls and women is another factor that contributes, both directly and indirectly, to women’s vulnerability to HIV, adding that the relationship between violence and risky behaviour is complex and multi-faceted.
“Studies,” she said, “have shown that persons who have been abused are more likely to engage in unprotected sex, have multiple partners and trade sex for drugs. It has also been shown that the threat of violence and fear of abandonment act as a significant deterrent for women who have to negotiate condom use, discuss fidelity with their partners or leave relationships they perceive to be risky.”
The Minister emphasised the point that the unequal power dynamics in gender relations increase male vulnerability to HIV infection, and that the prevailing norms place expectations on men to be more knowledgeable and experienced with regards to sex.
“This,” she explained, “makes it more likely that they would not admit their lack of knowledge about sex or protection and experiment with sex in unsafe ways at a young age to prove their manhood.”
She averred that traditional views of masculinity that emphasise sexual domination over women as a characteristic of manhood also contribute to homophobia and stigmatisation of men who have sex with men.
“The stigma and fear that result, force men who have sex with other men to keep their behaviour a secret, thereby increasing their own risk as well as that of their partners…both male and female,” she added.
In her proposal on what society should do to confront the seemingly insurmountable hurdles of gender and sexual inequality, Liburd said this year’s campaign is meant to begin a dialogue to change cultural norms that are fuelling the epidemic.
“Until we recognise, understand and publicly discuss the ways in which the power in balance in gender and sexuality impact on vulnerability, we will not make significant progress in curbing the epidemic,” she added.
She said the theme encourages every citizen and resident of the Federation to reflect on what true love means in the context of relationship, to view their current relationships through an HIV lens and to demand and reciprocate integrity, respect and protection in these interactions as a right and expectation of partners.
“HIV is not only a health but a socio-developmental issue, as it affects the most productive segments of the population. In small island developing states, such as ours, an unchecked epidemic risks our very survival; our fragile economy is extremely vulnerable, as it is based on services delivered by its human capacity. Additionally, HIV/AIDS is a chronic disease that has implications for our already spiraling healthcare cost. As a society, we cannot afford to relax our efforts. Each one of us stands to be affected if we do not immediately adopt appropriate strategies to stem the tide of this HIV epidemic,” the Minister said.
The Health Minister encouraged persons to exercise good judgment and responsible behaviour to avoid being infected with the virus, and appealed to all to avoid excess consumption of alcohol and lewd behaviour during the Carnival season.
This year’s calendar of activities for the recognition of World AIDS Day, aimed at increasing the public’s awareness, include the annual island-wide Whistle Stop on December 13, National Testing Day on December 15, and a Media Campaign from December 26 to January 3, 2011.
