The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has invited his social cluster cabinet colleagues to a launch of a comprehensive campaign to fight trans/cross generational sex.
The kwaHlabisa Municipality has become known for the dreaded impact of HIV on the community. Over 70% of the population is less than 29 year old and about 46% of the population has never been to school. More than 70% of the population survives at less than R800-00 per month, about 13% of the population is formally employed and over 80% of people live below the poverty line and only 12.7% of residents are employed.
MEC Dhlomo starts by explaining that the association between cross-generational sex, unsafe behaviours, and HIV risk makes the phenomenon a priority concern today. “We now know that young women bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic: young women 15 to 24 years old are three to four times more likely to be infected with HIV than young men of the same age.”
Current interest in cross-generational sex is largely due to the feminisation of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Young women 15 to 24 years of age in the Province are three times more likely to be infected with HIV than young men of the same age.
In general, cross-generational sex refers to relationships between older men and younger women, though some cross-generational relationships include older women and younger men. In most cross-generational relationships, young women are usually below age 20 and their male partners at least 10 years older.
MEC Dhlomo says; “Cross-generational sex is the practice of exchanging sex for goods, or for financial or lifestyle rewards, usually in the context of an ongoing relationship. In 2010, 16 940 teen mothers delivered in our public health facilities.”
The MEC explains the involvement of social cluster MECs by asserting that cross-generational sex has long been a topic of newspaper stories perpetuating slick sugar daddies luring young girls into risky sexual relationships. However, he continues; “If we look beyond this surface portrayal, understanding cross-generational sex especially the drivers behind this behaviour and the increased risks it engenders yields important answers at a time when women are shouldering the burdens of HIV, of sexually transmitted infections, and of unintended pregnancies”.
The MEC conceptualised the Sugar Daddy Campaign and has put-up more than 800 billboards across the Province warning against the dangers of cross-generational sex. The campaign will use radio and visual media, such as posters and pamphlets, to promote awareness and discussion about cross-generational sex and its impact in the province.
The MEC explains; “The idea behind the campaign is to challenge the acceptance of cross-generational relationships as the norm, and to introduce an element of community leadership and stigma of older men who seek sex with young girls.”
The strategy of the campaign is to stigmatize cross-generational sex, which has been somewhat tolerated. The primary audience of the campaign is the families and friends of girls and young women, and the secondary audience is females aged 14 to 25.
The campaign's call to action is: Protect your loved ones from "Sugar daddies". This call to action is being used to:
- create a taboo against cross-generational sex;
- promote healthy lifestyles;
- provide a language of opposition; and
- model and encourage appropriate behaviours for community members.
The launch will be preceded by a march involving all sectors of the community including traditional leaders and faith based organisations. The MEC is expected to be joined by the MECs for Social Development, Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation and Transport and Community Liaison.
Date: Thursday, 19 January 2012
Time: 10h00
Venue: KwaHlabisa Sports Stadium
Journalists wishing to attend are urged to confirm attendance with:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
E-mail: chris.maxon@kznhealth.gov.za
