Lerato’s story, first published in the book  “Men, Women & HIV and AIDS,” highlights one of the reasons why girls in Southern Africa are more vulnerable to HIV infection.  Lerato is being sexually abused, and the sexual relationship is concurrent, as her abuser is also married.

Lerato’s story

“My name is Lerato, and I am 14 years old. I lost both my parents in a car accident. My uncle took me to stay with him and his wife in Mafeteng.

One day he said I should thank him for looking after me by having sex with him. I was shocked and frightened by what he said. I did not know what to say and I cried.

One day my aunt went to town. After she left, my uncle asked me to come to bed with him. When I refused, he told me that if I did not do as he asked, he was going to throw me out of his house.

I told him I would not have sex with him, but he grabbed me and threw me on the bed. He tore my clothes and had unprotected sex with me. When he was done he told me to leave his room.

He said I must not tell anybody about what he did to me otherwise he would kill me. I bled a lot that day and many other times after he forced himself on me. I couldn’t run or play with other children. My aunt noticed and thought I was sick.

She took me to the clinic and we were both tested for HIV. We found out that we were both HIV positive. I decided to tell her what my uncle was doing to me. It was difficult to talk about.

My aunt was very angry. My aunt and I are going to stop the abuse together by reporting it.”
* Name has been changed to protect privacy

About Men, Women & HIV and AIDS

This book was published as part of the OneLove campaign in Lesotho.It will helps us to understand how gender and HIV and AIDS are linked.

The book can be used by you, your family and the community. Parents, teachers, health and community workers can also use it.

Contents

The contents of the book include:

• What is gender?
• What is gender equality?
• Gender roles and relationships.
• Gender roles and your relationships
• Gender roles and the community
• Gender and HIV and AIDS
• Forced sex
• Talking about forced sex and infection
• Cultural pressures
• Financial dependence
• Caring for the sick
• Men supporting women
• Human rights
• Gender and law
• HIV and AIDS – the facts
• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
• List of places to help you

Download the book

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