European Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
8th Annual Conference - AD 2000: Advances in AIDS Care, September 1997
Key points of session - Sexuality, sexual health and HIV: an international perspective - Robert Pratt
Notes taken and webplaced by Ian Hodgson on 22.10.97
AIDS is a socially contructed condition, associated with illiteracy, poverty, inequality.
Those with HIV are extremely vulnerable.
Sexuality is also socially, and culturally constructed. It is a unique experience of self...personhood....humanness. It is a powerful aspect of human nature, and encompasses physical and psychological aspects. Positive sexuality leads to a feeling of self worth, promotes bonding with others, and constructs our personal identity.
Sexuality in the world is also associated with male power, in which: there is female genital mutilation; a taboo against discussing sexuality.
Democracy denies the Southern hemisphere of treatment for HIV, where the virus is spreading rapidly: the largest societies in those parts of the world are controlled by patriarchies that perpetuate a state of repression and suppression of women and expression of sexuality
AIDS in India - increasing to such an extent that it will mirror and overtake the 'African' problem. Population of India is 1 billion (16% of global population). By the year 2000 it will be the most populous, home to the largest number of people with HIV, with more new cases per year than any other country. Also problem of TB, which works 'hand in hand' with HIV in the developing world, and especially Asia.
Reasons ?: Indian inability to discuss sex; plus tacit encouragement of the sex industry. Paradox - from Hinduism came the kama sutra - Islam and British imperialism have resulted in the constraint of expression.
Reproductive health - if positive, leads to positive sexuality - and vice-versa, a state leading to premature childbirth, rape and domination, genital mutilation.
Genital mutilation effects between 85-140m girls, principally in Islamic countries, though it can be cross cultural (including Western countries).
Other issues:
- male power - heterosexual males dominate throughout the world; there is generally a constriction of sexuality, with women being submissive, passive, and lacking bargaining power in all things sexual
- exploitation of children - myth of 'cleansing' by having sex with a child
- male rape
- sex industry