'Mbeki no Aids leader'
2004-10-04 22:23
Pretoria - Two of South Africa's best-known Aids researchers simply shook their heads on Monday in reaction to President Thabo Mbeki's most recent doubt about the role rape and men's attitudes plays in the transmission of HIV/Aids.
"We've seen in studies about violence in relationships what kind of part it plays. The evidence speaks for itself," said Dr Glenda Gray of the HIV research unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
She did, however, come to Mbeki's defence by cautioning against stereotyping Africa's women as victims and the continent's men as aggressors.
In his most recent letter in ANC Today, Mbeki questioned whether South Africa had the highest rape figures, as was alleged by Charlene Smith, a well-known journalist and activist.
Although Smith does not specifically refer to race in her reports about rape, he accuses her of portraying black males as "barbarians and potential rapists".
Traditional
Mbeki questioned whether traditional attitudes amongst men are partially to blame for the spread of HIV.
Gray joked and said Mbeki appears to react like a "bull that sees red" to Smith's Aids reports.
Gray and her colleague, Dr James McIntyre, said they plan to launch an awareness campaign for men very soon.
They are of the opinion that men should rather be approached in a positive way about HIV/Aids than be constantly criticised and called "bad".
The Democratic Alliance said on Monday that a wealth of studies that have no connection to race show that rape plays a part in the spread of HIV.
A Gauteng study found that 21% of men between 15 and 34 believe a woman who flirts is looking for sex.
A poll done in 2000 showed that one out of four men alleged that they had had sex with a woman without her consent before they turned 18.
Studies amongst teenagers indicated that the first sexual experience of 33% of girls was forced.
A study by the Medical Research Council found 15% of men acknowledged they raped or tried to rape their spouses or a girl during the past decade.
According to the DA's statement, unwanted sex is so common in South Africa that research indicated people only use the word "rape" when a stranger committed the deed.
"Unless the president changes his opinion about the link between rape and HIV/Aids, he will not be in the position to lead the country's campaign against the virus," the DA statement added.