Ukuthwala: the blurred lines of custom
By Najma Desai
1 April 2011 | | | | |The Media and HIV/AIDS | Children and HIV | Men and HIV | Prevention and treatment | Hot in the media
Ukuthwala is said to be a custom practiced mostly in the Eastern Cape where men somewhat force young girls and their families into marriage negotiations by making them partake in sexual acts mostly against their will.
An article titled Forcing the issue published in the Mail&Guardian this week highlights the risks pf HIV infection inherent in this practice - particularly where the perception persists that sleeping with a virgin will cure you from HIV (Have a look at our Myths and Misconceptions section for more on this topic). Ukuthwala has now come under scrutiny for endangering the lives of many young females by forcing them to engage in sexual acts with men who are in most cases up to 20 years their senior.
The large age difference, more extensive sexual history of the men and coercive circumstances makes negotiating safer sex options for the girls very difficult.
Ukuthwala has come under much scrutiny from the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) and the South African Commission for Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities as being a cover up for the abduction and rape of young women.
blog comments powered by Disqus
