Hot and bothered about sexy ads
2002-05-30 12:17
Brian Ligomeka
Blantyre, Malawi - The sight of a scantily clad woman on Malawi billboards has aroused hot
debate amongst the country's censorship board and its clergy.
The near naked image is being used by a reproductive health non-governmental
organisation (NGO) to promote condoms but the country's censorship board
complains that Aids can't be fought by promoting casual sex.
"The condom was introduced cautiously but now we have the Playboy magazine
approach dropped in the midst of Malawi's urban and rural population," said
censor officer Jeffrey Kanyinji.
He said complaints from religious groups had prompted the censorship board
to write to the NGO, Population Services International (PSI) and ask them
to remove the offending adverts.
Altogether 20 churches signed a petition that said: "Enticing the population
to sex to promote the sale of condoms is like happily dousing us with petrol
for the sake of promoting fire extinguishers".
They claim the PSI has offended the community it sought to protect.
"The sexy image employed achieves two effects - seducing the mind, thus
creating a craving for sex as well as offering a solution in latex," the
petition said.
One of the signatories, Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) has asked the PSI
to adhere to the country's cultural values.
PSI deputy director Jones Katangwe acknowledged receiving the letter from
the censorship board and declined to comment. - AENS
- News24