Conference comes at an opportune time

 Mr Mbatsha, commended the conference for putting a spotlight on the influence of cultural practices on HIV incidence. He explained that the conference was happening at an opportune time, particularly for South Africa which has seen a re-emergence, or popularisation of certain cultural practices, some positive, among them male circumcision. He also cited the negative practice of ukuthwala (forced marriages of young girls) that contribute to increasing HIV incidence in the country.

The importance of culture in HIV prevention

 Mr. Mbatsha expressed hope that the deliberations at the conference would not only look at harmful cultural practices, but would discuss and encourage strategies for harnessing the power of positive cultural practices that can assist in the reduction of HIV incidence. South Africa has started looking at the preventative effect of male circumcision, which is traditionally practiced in South Africa. Illustrating the importance of traditional and community in the fight against HIV, Mr Mbatsha explained that within the context of HIV, the King of Zululand in particular has shown great commitment in encouraging his people to access male circumcision.

 Positive cultural practices, if badly adapted, become harmful cultural practices

 There are some cultural practices that have been adapted negatively and are contributing to the higher incidence of HIV in South Africa. In particular, recently there has been a lot of media attention in South Africa on the harmful impact of ukuthwala (forced marriages of young girls, particularly in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape) in opening up young virgin girls to contracting HIV from older men.

 Traditionally, ukuthwala did not involve minors, the families of both parties were involved in the practice.  The practice has taken a sinister twist, as it is also being used as a form of ‘HIV cleansing', where HIV positive men forcibly  abduct and ‘marry' virgins in order to sexually ‘cleanse' themselves of HIV. Encouragingly though, the Ministry,  through CONTRALESA (South African House of Traditional Leaders) approached traditional leaders in the communities where the ukuthwala is being practised, and engaged with them on the harmful nature and HIV risk inherent in the practice.

 Mr Mbatsha added that "the practice of ukuthwala also constitutes violence against women, and a contravention of their rights. The South African Constitution, which is one of the most comprehensive in the world guarantees all South Africa women rights, and protects these. Those who hide behind ‘culture' and continue practices that are harmful to women are infringing on the rights of women".

 "When discussing the gender, culture and HIV issues and the particular vulnerabilities of women, it is also important to look at and consider the issue of the economic disempowerment of women. Women who are not economically empowered often find that they cannot leave an abusive husband or partner who is often the provider. Ukuthwala is as much an economic issue, as it is an HIV and violence against women issue", he added.

 The conference, titled the HIV/Culture Confluence: ‘Changing the River's Flow': Possibilities and Challenges in Programming' which is bringing together over 130 participants from the SADC region, Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, is being held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference