Africa?!!!?

Question

One of the realest issues on the continent is not addressed:

the myth that s*x with a virgin will cure AIDS.

It's the motivation for rape and the spread of AIDS.

Oprah builds a school to educate young girls, but what about educating the young men so that this myth does not continue to be passed down and make it more likely that infections will continue?

Bono raises money for the hungry and/or medication funding to treat AIDS.

Why does no one address the ugly new origins of the AIDS epidemic (myth and rape)?

Answer 1

Great question.  Point taken.  Well taken.  A million stars for you dear.

Beliefs can kill...humm?

Answer 2

Sorry to tell you, but you are a bit off.

Where did you get that nonsense from. Let me tell you: it is a myth that Africans belief what you state in your question. Unprotected s*x, lack of s*x-education, ignorant politicians, misguided beliefs (catholic church), poverty (prostitution) are the cause of the spread of AIDS in Africa and world-wide. I haven't heard that stupid nonsense in the 5 years that I lived and worked in Africa even once. AIDS is not taken for real unfortunately in many African Countries. Even the Secretary of Health and Education in SA denies hat there is such a thing. As for the cure: There is none as we all know but, if our ever so wealthy pharmacy-magnates would make medicine affordable for the poorest of the poor around the world a great deal of suffering could be avoided!

Answer 3

I did a paper on the Aids epidemic in Africa and how it is actually becoming a security issue for African states and those countries that have security ties to Africa (i.e. oil). Other individuals are correct when they are stating that there is an issue within the Church. Many of the religions (incl. Catholicism which is growing in Africa) teach that s*x before marriage is wrong.

The problem is that young women (and men) are not taught safe sexual techniques. They are taught only that s*x before marriage is wrong and not taught about birth or disease control. This leads to a huge issue because these women then have no idea what a condom is or how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. It is even state law in some countries that you are not allowed to teach safe s*x practices.

There is a very real concern about rape and the spread of HIV/Aids. This occurs most often in countries that are engaged in civil or interstate wars. It is seen as an act of war or a means of revenge. It needs to be more fully addressed by the Organization of African Unity but they have a lot on their plate.

The most common way that HIV/Aids is actually passed is through the trucking industry. A large percentage of good are trafficked through Africa by trucks (not planes, trains, or ships) and it is spread by truck drivers. Some of these men even have several wives/families along their trucking route. This can increase the amount of people that are affected with the virus exponentially. In addition, there are occurrences of rape as well as a thriving prostitution trade in some states. With prostitution, a trucker will infect a woman and then she will infect more individuals. These other individuals will then continue the process of spreading the virus to their families or other individuals. This is a huge problem because it also spreads the virus throughout the different states. So, even if one state has good control over the epidemic there are individuals who are coming in who are infected from other states.

So, to answer your question the origins of the epidemic are being addressed in certain states. Yet, those states which are influenced strongly by war, religion, or a strong dictator are having a harder time with the epidemic. There is also the issue that churches and religions give money to African states for food, education, and basic needs. There are a lot of religious groups that would not support money going towards teaching young women how to have safe s*x because there is the belief that it would lead to girls having s*x before marriage.

Answer 4

Wdmurnau: I grew up in South Africa. I was born and raised there. It must have been a while since you were there last because it is not a myth, it is very much believed by many African's and hundred's of thousand's of girls under 5 are raped every year because of it. As for South Africa, the government is corrupt, the people and oppressed and they dont want to make AIDS medicine more readily available because it would take away the money living their pockets. Even the president and the soon to be president deny that its real. Heck, Jacob Zuma raped an underage girl, with AIDS and then took a shower thinking it would wash away the virus. Yes its ignorance, yes its poverty and the corrupt government but its also urban legends like this that perpetuate the viral spread.

ChicagoV: The AIDS epidemic in Africa is not so simply explained as a fault of the Catholic Church and truckers. Its not that simple. And there are a TON of non-religious groups out there trying to make some headway in educating the african people but the problem is that it is too huge. They arent even making a ripple yet. And even if they manage to get the medicine into the country, the government turns around and sells it for a profit.

darren m: Possibly the most ignorant answer on here. Condoms for monkeys? Are you kidding me? Get some education.

Julian: Yes there is Aids everywhere but Africa has the largest % of Aids and HIV infected population in the world and no-one seems to care.

This may seem like an interesting and deep dinner conversation for some of you, but almost my whole family still lives in Africa. And that continent is in serious trouble and no-one cares. Anyone know what's going to happen in South Africa pretty soon when Jacob Zuma comes into power? Say goodbye to pioneers for freedom like Nelson Mandela because those days are long gone. Zuma is big friend's with Robert Mogabe and those two are going to have Southern Africa all wrapped up in their claws pretty soon and there is going to be a huge loss of life at their encouragement.

There is a world outside of America and it is going horribly wrong.

One last word about Oprah: I hate her school idea. She spends millions of dollars picking only handful of girls to attend and basks in the glory but millions of other girls (and boys) still drudge in poverty. Her money could have been spent so much better instead she used it for publicity. Its wrong.

Answer 5

there is Aids propblems among people does not like rape too. Did you know it? or you have your own miths too?. Even in the catholic clergy  there are aids cases.

Answer 6

The idea that a virgin will not have Aids or that it will cure Aids. There can be a further addition to the question the idea that abstinence will stop it that monogomy is a sure thing.

The other myth or subject not adressed is the spread of blood diseases through blood spilled in warfare.

The segregation and carefull handling of monkeys with Aids .

The idea that condoms made for animals to prevent the spread of disease is not taken seriously but why not issue animals condoms before a worse disease appears stop it right there. This may not prevent it through the blood and no one is suggesting people are having s*x with monkeys but it seems a sensible precaution. Where is The s*x Ed. for monkeys and other animals.