9.3. Why is HIV such a problem in communities?

Sometimes communities have certain things that drive or increase HIV infections and AIDS deaths.
* Gender inequality and violence: In some communities women are not seen as equal to men and become victims of sexual violence (rape and abuse). Women should be given the power to demand safe sex and not get infected. Men should be taught to respect women and their own bodies so that they do not get infected or infect others.
* Discrimination: People might not want to find out their HIV status because they are afraid that if their community finds out people will not treat them well. Communities should accept that HIV infection can happen to anybody. Only through acceptance, education, care and support will we be able to prevent and manage HIV.
* Multiple partners and sexual networks: Many communities have people with more than one partner or lover. This is an ideal place for the HI virus to spread quickly from person to person if they have safe sex (sex without a condom). Communities should encourage partners to remain faithful to each other and to protect their most valuable possessions - their health and their children.
* Neglect of children and education: Many adults do not respect children. They do not teach their children to become strong, healthy adults who respect their own bodies. With education your child will find a job and be able to look after him/herself. Children should be taught about HIV and AIDS as well as sexuality. Communities should teach their children to delay having sex for the first time until they are older or married. They should be taught to use a condom every time they have sex and to respect their own bodies.
* Loss of morals and cultural norms: Some communities accept that men and women have more than one sexual partner and some cultures encourage polygamy (marriage to more than one wife). While this is not necessarily wrong, it makes it much easier for HIV infection to spread through the community. Communities need to educate couples to remain faithful to each other, to know each other's HIV status and to always use a condom. Even when a man has more than one wife, he should make sure that he protects his wives from infection.
* Poverty: Sometimes people are so poor that they exchange sexual favours for money, cellphones, clothes and other possessions. Communities should not allow women and children to sell their bodies by making sure that they have help. The government provides many different types of grants (money) to support people in need for example the child grant, the foster grant, the disability grant, etc.
See 11. Government support
* Urbanisation: Often when people move to the cities, they forget about their culture, faith and education. They have many sexual partners and do not practise safe sex. Townships and city communities should encourage healthy pastimes such as soccer, food gardens, theatre and comedy clubs, trips to national parks or museums, music concerts, etc.


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