Only two percent of married couples in developing countries use condoms for contraception and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
Condom use is one of the practices that help to reduce the spread of HIV infection but it is among several practices culturally regarded as taboo for married people in Zimbabwe and in the southern African region due to its perceived association with commercial sex work and adultery. 
In order to reinforce messages that encourage communities to desist from cultural practices that put them at high risk of HIV infection and promote those that reduce the risk, Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) in partnership with Seke Rural Home-based Care (SRHBC) co-hosted a community gala at Dema Growth point in Seke on Friday (16 November 2007).
The theme for the gala was “Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS and Gender into Cultural practices”.
According to the Zimbabwe National Behavioural Change Strategy for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV for 2006 to 2010, some of the cultural practices that expose both men and women to HIV infection include, wife inheritance, polygamy, female genital mutilation, girl child pledging and forced marriages.
The gala was the brainchild of a project that was started last year by SAfAIDS and Seke Rural Home Based Care, to identify and address cultural practices and gender relations that perpetuate the spread of HIV and AIDS in Seke.

SAfAIDS executive director, Mrs Lois Chingandu, said it was important for communities to promote cultural practices that reduce risk to HIV and AIDS.
“We, together with Seke Rural Home Based Care held a series of dialogues that identified areas and issues needing to be addressed, in Seke, last year, but we felt it was important to go back and reinforce the importance of upholding what came out of them,” she said.

During the dialogues, training sessions on safer sex practices, partner communication, negotiation skills and correct condom use were held. A number of activities including song, drama and dance took place place during the gala while more than 50 people were tested for HIV by PSI who has a mobile voluntary counseling and testing centre at the site.
Several AIDS Service and gender organisations showcased their work and distributed HIV and AIDS information and materials.
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa who officiated at the event said it was important to uphold cultural values that could prevent new HIV infections and gender based violence and discard those that fuelled them.
“Instead of engaging in pre-marital sex and abusing little girls in the past young men used to masturbate. If that was a good practice then let us promote it. Rather than fighting, the extended family used to come in and advice couple but that is not happening,” he said.

ENDS

For more information please contact
Beatrice Tonhodzayi
Media Officer
17 Beveridge Road
Belgravia
HARARE

Tel : 263-4-336193/4
Cell : 091 2 886 967
e-mail : beatrice@safaids.org.zw

or
Cecilia Mhiti
Gender and Human Rights Senior Programme Officer
Tel :263-4-336193-4
e-mail : cecilia@safaids.org.zw