Break The Silence

Written by Gregory De Vries

Sexual and reproductive rights apply to all individuals regardless of HIV status. Yet more often than not the rights of HIV positive women are not recognized or given priority.

Why in the world would I say a thing like this? Many men and women may ask. Cultural practices often tightly restrict and sometimes control the decisions that women make regarding choices when it comes to sex .In many traditions women still do not have a lot to say about whether they want intercourse or not at all. With the high number infected people it shows that a women can not tell her husband to use a condom. If she does that a man may ask the woman: are you sleeping around? Is that why you what me to use a condom? At the same time you see so many women that are positive but still get pregnant. You ask yourself then is it ignorance or do most women have no choice. I am not saying that HIV positive women and men should not have children but if you are positive speak to your doctor first. Let me stress this – I am not trying to make men look like the bad guys, but I think it is about time we stop use our culture to make it right for men to have multiple sex partners. If you are planning to have a child, pretty please, speak to your doctor and don’t say “the condom broke” – that is so out of date!!