Popular Plays Take HIV/AIDS Messages to Swazis

SWAZILAND: /HEALTH/RIGHTS/ /15/10/02 Sabanews

MBABANE, Oct (IPS) – Theatre is the successful new tool for HIV/AIDS and sexual abuse education in SWAZILAND, says a report from Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency.

A play called ‘Theatre under the trees’ is drawing enthusiastic rural and urban audiences. After the show, the audience stays on for a discussion with the actors.

The group is called Sibahle Nje, which in the SiSwati language means “we are truly beautiful”. IPS says there are five women and five men in the group.

The themes range from how to avoid HIV infection to stopping child sexual abuse.

In the play titled ‘Mr. Snake Meets his Match’ girls are taught they have a right to say no to the sexual advances of male relatives.

Swazi NGOs and agencies like UNICEF sponsor Sibahle Nje’s shows. SWAZILAND has the second highest HIV infection rate in Africa. /Sabanews/an

.. ENDS SABANEWS ..

Coca Cola under Fire from AIDS Activists in the West

UNITED STATES: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /15/10/02 Sabanews

NEW YORK – Coke is ignoring workers with HIV/AIDS in Africa, Asia and Latin America, say AIDS activists in the West.

They demand that the multinational beverage giant pay for HIV/AIDS treatment for its infected workers in developing countries, according to a report by Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency.

In June last year, the company pledged health care coverage to more than 1,000 employees in Africa for HIV testing and treatment.

But did not extend the cover to the 100,000 workers it indirectly employs in bottling operations.

Under pressure from rights groups, Coke changed its policy and said the bottlers would pay 50 percent of the costs for treatment and drugs. Workers would have to pay 10 percent.

Coca Cola is the largest private employer in Africa.

Small and medium sized bottlers cannot foot the cost-sharing bill.

Activists say the company, not bottlers, must bear the costs for treatment and sex education of all those who work for Coca Cola. /Sabanews/an

.. ENDS SABANEWS ..

AIDS Spreads as PORTUGAL Focuses on 'Fidelity'

PORTUGAL: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /15/10/02 Sabanews

LISBON - PORTUGAL is the only European Union (EU) country where AIDS continues to spread in an alarming manner.

Experts blame this on the unrealistic educational campaigns that underline the need for faithfulness and abstinence, and primarily target the women, says Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency.

In the government, what prevails is the idea that AIDS is a kind of punishment for whoever fails to practice abstinence and fidelity, says psychologist Nuno Torres.

Ana Filgueiras, coordinator of an anti-AIDS programme, says many in PORTUGAL insist that AIDS has spread in Africa because Africans are promiscuous.

But the only difference with PORTUGAL is that while Africans are frankly and openly polygamous, Portuguese are cynical, camouflaged polygamists, she is quoted by IPS.

Filgueiras asserts that if PORTUGAL wants to take the fight against AIDS seriously, HIV/AIDS must be viewed as a development issue. /Sabanews/an

.. ENDS SABANEWS ..