Redefining Masculinity in Era of HIV/Aids

This article outlines the discussion held at a three-day conference organised by the Regional AIDS Initiative of Southern Africa of Voluntary Services Overseas (RAISA/VSO). The kinds of questions explored during the discussion concerned the role of men in caring for and supporting those suffering with HIV/AIDS, as well as the concept of masculinity, more broadly. "What does it mean to be a man in Southern Africa? How do young men perceive themselves as single men, husbands, fathers and breadwinners? How do these perceptions interact with the HIV/AIDS pandemic in a context of poverty and unemployment?". Participants concluded that the meaning of "masculine" must be reconceived in order to bolster men's self-esteem and to empower men to "take active community responsibility". They cited "The sense of displacement and irrelevance, coupled with unemployment and poverty...that leads to sexual behaviour that puts them and their partners at risk of HIV/AIDS, such as promiscuity, irregular or no condom use, violence and alcohol and drug abuse." They also explored negative male images prevalent in the media, which lead young men to feel that social ills are their fault and, in response, to give up altogether. So much focus is placed on femininity and women, some commentators pointed out, contributing to the phenomenon that "our boys seem to be lost". HIV/AIDS issues like male rape, which are rarely discussed, were also addressed by conference attendees.

As the article points out, there are some positive HIV/AIDS interventions in the region that involve men in non-traditional ways. In Malawi and Zambia, two home-based AIDS care programmes in villages have successfully recruited men as volunteer caregivers, traditionally a woman's job.

Click here for the full article on the AEGiS site.