Whose Responsibility Is Protection?

A couple of years ago, one of my friends happened to pour out the contents of her bag in my presence.  Apart from the usual knick knacks that normally exists in a woman’s purse, i.e , cosmetics, floss, a pack of gum, keys, etc  was also some condoms. There was silence when my eyes met hers, flabbergasted, I asked her, “why she was carrying that along with her.  Laughing, she responded that a woman needs to have that with her at all times, because you never know.

As I type these words, I wonder is that really true and if  her concept  is really relevant or realistic to the typical African woman.   I wonder what the repercussion will be if the woman brought the protection along for the tryst?   Will she be looked at in the same light or be viewed as being an easy woman?

Fact: According to UNAIDS, 17 million women are living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise 58% of the adults living with HIV/AIDS in that region. Infection rates among young women are at least twice those among young men.

This is in Sub Saharan Africa, the question becomes  are the numbers higher or lower in the Diaspora?  But, regardless of it is either or, the fact remains that many African women and men are getting infected on a daily basis in the Diaspora.

Having this information, then the question becomes, why aren’t more women taking the initiative in ensuring that they are their partner/partners are protected in any tryst?  Is it the fear of what society will think?  What will the trystee think?  Is it the fear of being put in the category of the easy woman?

You will think that as more women become empowered in almost every facet of their lives, that it is a given that more women will become more empowered in their sexual decision making but that doesn’t seem to be the case.  Or am I wrong?

So, I throw the question back at  you:

Men:  how will you feel if the woman brought the condoms and the responsibility  in terms of protection was no longer yours? Will your perception of her change or will it remain the same?

Women:  Have you ever gone into a drug store to buy a box of condoms?  Why or why not?

Share This Post

Tweet

Posted by Pamela Stitch on October 28, 2008. Filed under Lifestyle,Zweli Lunga's Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.