Stories written by Zahira Kharsany

AFRICA: Antiretroviral Gel Lowers HIV Infection and Offers Hope to Women

By Zahira Kharsany
When women from the predominantly rural Vulindela district in KwaZulu-Natal first began participating in an HIV-prevention trial many were unable to negotiate the use of condoms or even discuss safe sex with their partners. But as they used the discreet antiretroviral (ARV) microbicide gel, for the first time women - who bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic in Africa - were in control of an HIV-prevention method.

Q&A: ‘‘Time to Bring Justice to Victims of Horrific Crimes"

By Zahira Kharsany
The Rome Statute, adopted in July 1998, enabled the formation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2002. Since then the ICC has issued 12 arrest warrants, all against Africans.
Jackie Dugard Credit:

Q&A: Unlocking the Power of Constitutional Rights

By Zahira Kharsany
South Africa's constitution is often celebrated for its protection of social and economic rights; but how readily can this protection be invoked by the most vulnerable?

AIDS-AFRICA: Some Signs of Progress

By Zahira Kharsany
The latest UNAIDS Report estimated that 33 million people around the globe are living with HIV; 22 million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Around 2.7 million new HIV infections occurred worldwide in 2007. However, encouraging new data suggests there have been significant gains in preventing new infections in several African countries with high prevalence rates.


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