The vulnerability of Women and men to HIV/AIDS

Socialization plays a vital role in educating men and women about the spread of HIV/AIDS. Gender stereotyping and power relations make women and men, girls and boys vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection.

In Zimbabwe my culture socials men to believe that having many partners is not wrong and that it is part and parcel of manhood. It has been researched and analyzed that men at times are shy to condoms, citing a loss of manliness as a reason for not practicing safer sex. In Africa and around the world, men’s prowess and his ability to produce many children are still seen as a sign of strength. Hence the attempt to prove manhood has caused Africa men to die from HIV/AIDS in many numbers.

In Zimbabwe poverty which is becoming more and more deep-rooted, with large pool of children who have lost parents to AIDS moving into urban cities, young boys too engage in sex work increasing their risk of contracting HIV.

The vulnerability of women and girls is locked into their lack of equality in resources, opportunity and voice through out societies to condemn men’s practice that jeopardize their lives. Women and girls powerlessness expose them to immense risk of HIV infection. Empowering women and a girl child is essential for reducing the vulnerability of HIV infection.

Many women world wide still lack control over their bodies and do not have the right to decide freely and responsibly matters related to their own sexuality. Infected women in Zimbabwe endure further forms of discrimination and less care as this is devoted to caring for the man if both are affected.

Gender violence which is caused by the unequal power relations and family politics between men and women, boys and girls exposes women and girls to rape and sexual abuse, making them vulnerable to HIV infection.

Our societies need to be structure in such a way that both sex males and females have equal chances to stand and defend their rights. Fostering the rights of community members lead to a health society with health relationship. A health society can improve its life style and production can be boosted as most of the time will be spend working instead of attending to the patience.

Journalist as Communicators of Health issues

Journalists are a good vehicle of communication about the health issues affecting the society. Communications is defined as the conveying of a message from one party to another through a medium. The media is one medium through which communications takes place.

HIV/AIDS is causing more damages than anticipated by the community members yet journalists are taking this issue lightly to communicate with the members of the society about it. Facts and figures are the main components of a journalist’s diet for producing and writing news, news analysis and feature stories. Editors and journalist often believe that putting together of facts and figures, with a few voices, is an exercise in objective reporting. Yet there is a lot that journalist should be doing to educate the masses and even opening an arena for discussion on the impact of HIV/AIDS.

In Zimbabwe and around the world what media people fail to grasp is their role as communicators. Researches conducted earlier reflect that the media communicates a variety of messages to various audiences who make up the reading or listening public.
When reporting about HIV/AIDS general in Africa and Zimbabwe in particular, media people have to grasp the complex problems and limitations in typical media representations of gender, to understand that these are deeply embedded social practice and interpretations that can cause confusion to the community members.

Communicating gender requires journalists and other media practitioners to observe the ways people can be marginalised because of gender issues. Journalists when reporting on health issues have to consider the age, class, who gets coverage, from what perspective and through which lens.

Women have to be educated not to regard marriage as a shield against AIDS, but as one way through which AIDS can be contracted. HIV/AIDS has become a grim mixture in women’s live especially in Zimbabwe. Many families are suspicious when their sons and brothers dies and widows are frequently blamed and resented for surviving their husbands.

Media should be in the forefront to encourage women who are about to get married to insist on an HIV test before marriage.

Among Zimbabwean, when a male is infected he receives unconditional support from his family. Women, however, are always blamed. These are some of the issues that media should open a sphere of discussion about.

Muchena’s statement heckled

The process to educate people of Zimbabwe about the crafting of a new constitution started today in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe at Gweru Cathedral Hall. People came from all corners of Midlands to meet the representative for the constitution Senate Committee. This follows the Global Political Agreement that was signed by the three Zimbabwean political parties to form an inclusive government.

Among the members of parliament that were present included MP Ngwenya, Madubeko, Rutswara, Chebundo, Chikwinya, Chingwena and the Midlands Provincial governor Naison Matshaya. Dr Olivia Muchena one of the inclusive government ministers was among the senate committee that visited the city of Gweru.

The Midlands provincial governor Matshaya told the gathered crowd that Midlands’s Province participation in this constitution making process was important since this is the center of Zimbabwe with diverse culture and tribal groups. “People should take away emotions and start to focus on issues that will contribute to the crafting of the Zimbabwean Constitution”, he said.

Dr Muchena was jeered by the crowd when she said that “The British which is causing Zimbabwe problems have no constitution”. The crowd expressed their dissatisfaction by the minister’s speech by heckling her. However, the minister explained to the crowed that it was her party’s idea that relevant stakeholders representing the people of Zimbabwe and certain individuals have to be consulted in crafting a constitution. Muchena clarified certain issues which have to do with the global agreement and defined what the constitution is and meant to the people of Zimbabwe. She explained further the importance of the three fundamentals in the constitution and in the run of the country which among include the executive, legislation and judicial.

The Democratic United Front (DUF) member Tatenda Simukai Mombeyarara said that he had come all the way from Harare to participate under protest because the process for constitution crafting was not people driven. “l am participating under protest and NCA protested and refused to attend this process because they argued that this is a flaw”, said Mombeyarara. He added that the whole process was not just and the crafting of the constitution process is not people driven.

DUF as an organization fights for a constitution-making process which is democratic, participatory, and gender-balanced and people driven. It reverses the attacks by neoliberal, free market, capitalist and political authoritarian structures on ordinary people and democracy over the last two decades and enshrines as legally enforcement and funded the economic, social and political rights of working people and the poor.

The MDC-T representative Hon. Makuyana (Member of parliament) said that the constitution should include all ordinary Zimbabwean voice, which among include those in diasporas, students, arts and culture, human rights and so forth . Makuyana told the crowd that Zimbabwe should initiate a constitution which will prolong without amendments. He also said that soil is for us all and no one even a single family liberated this country. Makuyana added that July has been set aside as a month to talk and teach people about the constitution crafting. In November 2009, stakeholders committee will meet in Harare to discuss about the views paused by the people in all provinces of the country. The whole process that stretches up to next year will have to make sure that by October 2010 the New Constitution of Zimbabwe will be effective and enacted to govern the country

Media and national-building

The media has been relegated to what is often called a nation-building and development role by government

However, Nation building role is highly contested because of differing interpretation by government and media. To Zimbabwean government, the media must priorities national cohesion, which promotes unity among people. But again that is lacking since our media suffers from polarization and are used on patronage basis. It is disgusting to find both the state media and private media creating disunity among the people of Zimbabwe. Media functions as the educator, informer, watchdog and so forth and therefore, reporting in provocative and unbalanced manner creates more enmity than unity among us.

The meaning of the role of the media in nation-building remains unresolved and a source of tension between media and government even in South Africa where media is mostly free from editorial control by government. The tension over the media’s role results in a division between public media and private media.

In Zimbabwe the best way to promote national cohesion and negotiating identities can only be fostered if the affirmation of positive developments that has a basis in what is actually happening in societies, and highlighting those tensions that signal that all is not well. For instance, we need our media to hail the positive developments attained by our Inclusive government. There is a lot that our inclusive government has done which needs a praise and respect. Use of hate speech and blaming others should not find space in our own media. Journalist should learn to be professionals and shun the tendency of playing public relations role for a certain political party both in private and public media.

In സിംബാബ്‌വെ it is very true that some media are playing into conflict situations by inflammatory reporting that fuels tensions and that is done by both private and public media. One of the solutions that can do away with such unethical practices which undermine media freedom to tell the truth and to enhance national building is to practice self-regulation.
In this inclusive government media should be in the lead in national building which is often linked to the role in promoting socio-economic development on the basis that without national unity it is not possible to mobilize a society for national development.

However, African governments have a problem of expecting the media to be a cheerleader for what can be perceived as sunshine journalism. This journalism focuses predominantly on government officials delivering development projects such as new roads, houses and sanitation facilities, to grateful communities as positive news.

The media in Zimbabwe should instill confidence to the members of the society about the positive achievement made by our inclusive government without looking at who does what and how. I wish if journalist can stop being politicians and partake seriously on capacity building. The use of hate speech, blaming tendencies and reporting negatively is what journalist needs to avoid for the good of our Zimbabwe. How is it that we do not learn from our leader who has shown us the way forward? We no longer need witch hunting, provocative, hate language and unethical reportage at this moment in time in our reportage. Journalist can only ensure peace to the people of Zimbabwe by instilling hope and unity among them for the prosperity of our nation.

Communicate with children about HIV/AIDS

AIDS is not something to hide; it’s something natural, especially nowadays and need to be communicated to our children.

HIV-positive parents must realize that living positively with the virus, such as providing proper nutrition and having a healthy attitude, greatly benefit their children because it prolongs their lives and postpones orphan hood. In Zimbabwe the currently economic challenges have affected many families and giving proper nutrition to our children is a problem.

Disclosing an HIV status to a child can be based on many things, such as the child’s age or maturity, but inevitably it is the choice of the individual parent. Parents should be close and lovely to their children so that they can pre-empty the entire secret to them without fear. At times trust among the family members comes through communicating.

Providing food and shelter for children means little if it is not accompanied by psychological support, such as communication and tolerance. Parents should be tolerant to their children and often discuss important issues about their lives freely.

Children may not be able to describe their thought and feelings easily, but this does not mean the illness or death of a parent does not affect them. In Zimbabwe many children are groaning for the death of their parents who died while they still need their love. Talking about death and dying at times can be positive experience for both parents and children. It gives the opportunity for children to say goodbye and start the process of healing to the children. HIV/AIDS education as part of counseling can be an effective way of prevention.

Counseling about HIV/AIDS prepares children for what lies ahead and encourages them to believe that they can manage through grief and loss. Children across the world need to be educated about the dangers of HIV/AIDS to their lives. An ear should be given to their social, economic and psychological needs in order to avoid the unnecessary spread of this disease.

The Village Lodge

Caven Masuku is an electronic journalist based in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

The City of Progress, Gweru has its image boost by “The Village Lodge, owned by Enos Size. The Village Lodge is situated five kilometers away from Gweru City centre on the Harare road. This is one of the best Lodges in Gweru and due to its proximity convenience is an ideal place to retreat.

The Village Lodge is in the Midlands Province, Gweru which is the heart of Zimbabwe. It is a suitable stop-over for travellers connecting the two main cities, Harare and Bulawayo. This place has beautiful scenes which makes one feel comfortable. The services offered there are super and deserve to be hailed. The workers at this Lodge are friendly and professional.

In addition, big organizations can book at The Village Lodge for seminars, workshops and can be accommodated there at reasonable charges. The environment is nice and their service delivery can be compared the local five star hotels found in Zimbabwe.

There are a lot of activities that one can enjoy while enjoying the stay at The Village Lodge. Resort areas such as the Safari game park like the military museum, picturesque “Boterekwa” and Naletali ruins are 20 kilometers away from this lodge.

The Village lodge has simple yet sophisticated rooms with complementing and well selected bathrooms. The guests can choose from family, executive or honey moon suites, furnished with teak antique, under golden grass thatching, decorated with different themes. This can make the guests to feel like in rural area at the same time enjoying luxury of well prepared food.
Each room from this lodge is equipped with tea or coffee making facilities, satellite television and mini bars. The feel, although modern, reflects the traditional home setting. This lodge so far is one of its own which can not be compared with any hotels in Gweru.

The Village Lodge can be contacted through their website which is accessible online through their website http://www.thevillage.co.zw/. Weddings, meetings, workshops and other important activities can be conducted at this lodge . They have big space that can cater for the large crowd and the refreshments are affordable since their charges are reasonable as compared to many local hotels and shops.

Zimbabwe journalist urged to avoid hate speech

All journalist from Gweru today were gathered at The Village Lodge for a workshop organised by MISA Zimbabwe. This Lodge is situated five kilometres away from Gweru city center on the Harare road.

This workshop was meant to educate journalist to report positive about the “All Inclusive Government”, which consist of three main political parties from Zimbabw.

In the workshop journalist had to discuss about the hate speech that is perpetuated by our media houses, especially the public media. Journalist also looked at how hate speech is used by private media in undermining the ZANU PF effort to cooperate in the inclusive government.
It is important for media in Zimbabwe to be serious in capacity building by reporting in a positive manner that can instill the hope of ordinary peoples in Zimbabwe.

Media is very crucial and plays an important role in educating, informing and protecting the citizens rights.

Journalist who gather at The Village identified hate speech that both the public media and private media use that causes discord to our main political parties. Words such as terrorist, the self styled war veterans, imperialist puppets, political prostitution, military junta, octogenerian and so forth are some of the lexicon that carries with it negative connotation that our local media should avoid.

In capacity building the media should touch important issues that matters most to the community that they serve. Therefore there are important issues such as child abuse, poor health system, lack of garbage refusal collection, water shortage, scarcity of foreign currency in rural area and many others that media has to talk about.

Media apart from playing a watchdog role should function as the public sphere for discussion.

Citizens concern should be thrown to a debate forum and contributions from all society members should be captured and addressed. Our media in Zimbabwe are indicisive and do not open such a forum for discussion.

The problem of ignoring the public in favour of politicians and political parties has caused a lot of inaffectiveness of our media functions in informing the public. Ordinary citizens ned to be well informed about what is taking place. Currently our media in Zimbabwe despite the global political agreement the was reached by the three main political parties, hate speech, lies, unobjective and hate speech is rife.

Journalist from both state media and private media expressed their concern about certain issues that impede their role to inform the citizens. Despite the rule by the High Court of Zimbabwe that Media and Information Commission (MIC) of Zimbabwe is relevant to the Inclusive government, journalist especially from private media expressed their concern.

Journalist from Private media said that they were barred from reporting at the COMESA sumit because they did no register with MIC. This makes most journalist to believe that the global agreement regulations are not followed. Hence this could be one of reasons why hate speech is still rife.

Workshops to educate journalists to be modern are important in that it reminds that of what they are expected and required of doing for capacity building in an all inclusive government. At this moment they is need to give hope to the citizens and reporting on stories that meets their needs.