Question No 22
Prince M M M Zulu (IFP-KZN) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) (a) To what extent are Traditional and Religious Leaders integrated into the government's effort to fight HIV and AIDS, especially in the rural areas and (b) how does the government address the issue of gender equality in traditional societies in dealing with HIV and AIDS;
(2) what new (a) strategies and (b) plans will the government put in place in the next 5-10 years to assist existing programmes such as Lovelife in order to target the youth with HIV and AIDS prevention messages?
Reply:
Both traditional leaders and religious leaders are represented in the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and participate in all of the deliberations of the Council and its programmes including World AIDS Day events, and the national HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign.
Traditional healers have been integrated into the work of the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal and through the medical male circumcision campaign that was mandated and launched by his Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.
As recently as last month, the House of Traditional Leaders reaffirmed its commitment to campaign against HIV and AIDS and resolved to participate in the various programmes implemented in their areas of jurisdiction.
The issue of gender equality is a broad social issue that impacts on health but is not exclusively a health issue. Civil society as well as community leaders and other government departments also have a role to play.
The South African National AIDS Council includes the women's and men's sectors that have as their objective changing gender roles and addressing gender inequalities. Working with non-governmental organisations, SANAC participated in the launch of the Brothers for Life campaign - which seeks to make men more responsible for ensuring an equal society.
The medical male circumcision campaign in KwaZulu-Natal also focuses on the roles and responsibilities of manhood. Young men are taught these responsibilities in the province (including far rural areas) by community leaders and elders. It is hoped that such programmes will decrease the incidence of gender-based violence and sexual assault.
The lifespan of the current HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan ends at the end of 2011. The idea is that the new plan will be developed through a consultative process during the course of 2011.
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
