A new study has found that one in three Swazi girls has experienced some form of sexual violence before the age of 18, which often leads to serious social and health problems including HIV and unwanted pregnancies, reports PlusNews Global.
According to the article, which cites research by the UN Children’s Fund and the United States Centres for Disease Control, an estimated 22 percent of Swazi women aged between 15 and 24 are infected with HIV.
The article also suggests that sexual violence could be an important route of HIV transmission in high-prevalence countries like Swaziland.
Girls At Risk
The findings of this report fit in with what the OneLove regional partners already knew. Watch this video, Girls At Risk which explains highlights the extent o risk from HIV that girls in Southern Africa face.
The 12-minute DVD resource is made up of five movie extracts from the UNTOLD series, as well as easy to read text that aims to generate discussion on the issues raised.
The full-length films from which the DVD extracts were adapted were written and produced by local writers and film-makers from nine Southern African countries.
Order the DVD resource
You can help empower girls in your community by using the DVD resource to initiate a discussion about issues of gender.
Order the DVD from the Soul City Institute in South Africa.
Contact:
Toll-free number: 0860 11 5000 if you are in South Africa
Tel: +27 11 452 2749 if you are outside South Africa
Email: admin@onelovesouthernafrica.org and we will forward your request.
Download “Men, Women & HIV and AIDS”
This book will help you understand gender. It will also help you 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. Share this information with others.
Men, Women & HIV and AIDS was developed by Phela Health & Development Communications in Lesotho. Phela is a partner in the OneLove regional campaign.
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[...] Widespread sexual violence puts Swazi girls at risk of HIV | OneLoveDo you think it is possible for people who grew up in a culture where small houses are the norm, to change their behaviour and have only one partner? If so, what are some of the challenges that they face? … [...]