There is low condom use, ART uptake in men, says N...

There is low condom use, ART uptake in men, says NAC

Zim Now Writer

A National Aids Council gender assessment report has shown that there is still low condom use, HIV testing, circumcision and enrolment on anti-retroviral treatment.

The report says the major cause of this is that HIV response has ignored men and focused on women and girls.

NAC Mashonaland Central provincial manager Edgar Muzulu said: “Traditionally, interventions have treated women and children as victims leaving out men. Low involvement of men resulted in failure to scale up prevention interventions.

“The impact is that we are failing to reach the required levels in prevention strategies because of the gap. This strategy is meant to close this gap and bring everyone aboard,” Muzulu said.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Muzulu said, most societies are patriarchal in nature, leaving young girls and women vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Muzulu also said that the report highlights the gaps that were documented, which include cultural norms and traditional practices.

“We need to introspect and this report seeks to identify how best to close these gaps and bring positive change and remove vulnerability and bring equality which leads to access to health service resulting in quality investment in interventions,” he said.