Of red ribbons in schools, segregation and demystifying HIV/AIDS

The coming in of the deadly virus, HIV/AIDS into this world has brought with it a lot of confusion into the lives of humanity as desperation is forcing people to embark on the most absurd things in the name of dealing with it.

So many people have run out of ideas to such an extent that they come up with ridiculous ways of dealing with the disease. And, of late, some schools in this country have been accused of forcing students who are suffering from such a disease to put on red ribbons so that they can be identified and treated with care. The other reason is that such students are exempted from doing manual work.

Though this might have been done with a clear conscience and with the aim to help and assist these students, this is discrimination at its best. This is not the only example as recently the MP for Nkasi North, Mr Ally Kessy Mohamed, refused to withdraw a statement he made in Parliament that people infected with HIV got it deliberately.

Whether it was a matter of ignorance, on AIDS, or was a deliberate move to court controversy by the legislator remains debatable but the fact remains that it’s a shame that people who are supposed to lead by example especially in fighting stigma and discrimination are the ones promoting it.

It seems when it comes to the disease, our leaders sometimes lose it as they continue to give not only fun but also awkward suggestions as to deal with the problem. A Senator in Zimbabwe, last year, was quoted as proposing that there be a drug to be injected on men to reduce their insatiable sexual desires so that they can have sex once a month, claiming that would curb the spread of HIV.

Sithembile Mlotshwa, the representative for Matobo, urged the Senate to support scientific research “into a substance that will make men lose (sexual) appetite”.

“We have looked at the use of condoms and abstinence but I still think we have to look at the rate of mating of human beings because through their mating, HIV is being spread,” Mlotshwa said while contributing to a debate on HIV/Aids and access to treatment.

She went on: “The only avenue left is for us as parliamentarians to decide or suggest reducing the appetite of men and their insatiable greed for women.

"If the scientists that we have here look into the issue of trying to inject men with a substance that will make them lose appetite, and use that chance once a month at home, I think that might help.”

Another bombshell erupted from Swaziland where a member of parliament came under fire for suggesting making HIV tests compulsory and branding warning logos on the buttocks of those with the disease.

"Before having sex with anyone, people will have to check their partners' buttocks before proceeding," he explained.

All these are contributions from legislators voted by people, who expect them not only to represent them in parliament but also to come up with sound policies that will go a long way in solving their problems such as HIV.

It is high time we deal with stigma and discrimination. There is no need to segregate those living with the virus because no one is immune to the virus. The problem with those people who segregate others is that they are living in darkness, they have never gone for an HIV test and they simply don't know their status. In most cases, it is a matter of a pot calling another pot black. Gone are the days of thinking that someone with the virus is an outcast especially if we do not know our status.

This leads to many people going into self denial when they later get tested and find out that they are HIV positive. I know of many people, including my relatives, who ended up dying, denying that they had the virus despite the doctors having told them so. They sought solace in witchcraft as they spent their fortune and time going around consulting traditional healers, who in most cases tell them what they want to hear. They are told that they had been bewitched by their relatives who are jealous of their progress in life. What a shame.

I think it is high time we demystify this disease and begin treating it like any other. We know that it is compulsory, in some countries, for children to undergo immunization against the five killer diseases such as polio, typhoid, measles and so on then why can't it be compulsory for HIV.

The secrecy surrounding the disease is the one that is killing us. If testing could be made compulsory and made mandatory that the results are not secretive as they are now, then all the mystery surrounding HIV will disappear and in the long run, will be treated as any other disease where people will be open about it. I believe that the reason we have a lot of stigma and discrimination is the fact that AIDS has been mystified and is viewed as taboo.

Governments, through out the world, especially in Africa should put in place laws compelling men and women to first of all get tested before getting married. Many lives could be saved that way as many people will get into their marriages knowing the status of their loved ones. This will then make them take precautionary measures and avoid infecting each other.

A lot of ground still has to be covered in as far as fighting this disease is concerned. It only takes us to change the perception we have of the disease. And, as of the students who are forced to put on red ribbons, that should stop forth with and it should be criminalized.

This causes these students not only to lose direction and be ashamed of themselves but also isolate them as society will segregate against them. Let’s stop this madness for the benefit of our children. God bless you all.