EDITORIAL

Men Make a Difference

As world statistics show that the incidence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) continues to rise, particularly among young people, it is clear that we must do much more to change the social patterns that feed this pandemic.

This year, the United Nations is highlighting the special role men and boys can play in fighting this disease. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has chosen a theme for the World AIDS Campaign 2001: "I care… Do you?"

This message is aimed at all men, not just those who are presidents or prime ministers, but men from all walks of life, young men in school, athletes, teachers and fathers.

In Latin America, as in many parts of the world, certain cultural and social norms, including what we call "machismo", may be hampering efforts to fight the spread of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It is generally men who decide the hows and whens of sexual relations and, all too frequently, they simply do not use condoms.

While these cultural standards represent a danger for the men themselves, they also create terrible risks for their sexual partners. Many Latin American men are brought up to believe that it is "macho" to take risks, or even to obtain sex through force. "Machismo", as well as sexual violence against women (inside or outside the home), drug addiction, poverty and child abuse all contribute to spreading HIV among young women and their children.

In the AIDS era, we must work to change the cultural attitude that "real men take risks". In its place, we must teach young men that it is "macho" to protect themselves and others from this often-fatal disease.