Male Involvement in HIV Initiatives Still Low

Zambia, 25 April 2012 (allAfrica) - The non-involvement of men in HIV and AIDS initiatives in the region is one of the impediments to progress in addressing the effects of the pandemic.

Theresa Sikute Chishimba from the Society for Women and AIDS (SWAAZ) in Zambia, said that women are at the forefront with very few men joining in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Citing examples from her organisations' experiences, she said SWAAZ invites both women and men, but men never show any interest.

SWAAZ offers services to vulnerable children and women, orphans, care-givers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and children with disabilities. Chishimba noted that the organisation has started a number of projects to support its target groups.

The main challenge SWAAZ faces is that men show very little support, as they prefer initiatives that will benefit them financially. She however noted that when there is money involved, everyone wants to share in the spoils at the expense of the people who should benefit from the funds.

Boingotlo Gupta, from Bomme Isago Association, in Botswana shared the same sentiments. She however highlighted that the organisation has made great strides in getting men to be involved. Bomme Isago Association addresses the sexual and reproductive health and rights challenges faced by women infected with, and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Gupta highlighted that women in the support groups would like to see men benefitting from the various education initiatives to raise awareness on a number of issues, including education on the dangers of repeated pregnancy.

The education programmes also stress the importance of open dialogue about sex between men and women. She added that while sex talk is 'taboo' in most African societies, sex contributes to a number of challenges including GBV, and HIV and AIDS.

Thabile Ginindza from Swaziland also believes that men are usually reluctant to take part in HIV and AIDS initiatives as they view the health of children as the job of a woman. Ginindza is a member of the Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action on AIDS (AMICAAL).

Ginindza explained that their concentration on the rights of children to be healthy is motivated by the high prevalence rates of HIV and AIDS.

She however said, even though men are reluctant to get involved, the AMICAAL program is doing quite well as the women they train share the information with their families and their communities. She said more people are now aware of the PMCT program and services, saying that it is indeed true that 'if you teach a woman you teach the whole community'.

Ginindza however said her organisation is still hard at work to try and encourage men to take an active role and participate by organizing family fun days and sporting activities. "We try to involve men, because they are partners as well as fathers of these babies," she said.

Maureen Odubeng is a journalist with Mmegi in Botswana. This article is part of GL Opinion and Commentary Service, special news and analysis series on the 2012 Gender Justice and Local Government Summit