Marginalized Knowledge: An Agenda for Indigenous Knowledge Development and Integration with Other Forms of Knowledge

Gender and the key priority areas of the new NSP

The interventions of the new NSP are contained in four key priority areas. These areas indicate the focus of the DoH as well as National government with regards to the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa. Within the four key priority areas of the NSP, there is also specific mention of gender related aspects. I will now highlight only these gender related aspects and indicate problems associated with it.

Gender and prevention

In this regard, government aims to reduce new infection rates in South Africa with 50% by 2011. This will be done, according to DoH (2007) by accelerating programmes that empower women and educate men on women’s rights as well as human rights.

According to DoH, 85 % of all infection in South Africa is spread by heterosexual sexual intercourse (2007). Sexual transmission interventions will target young people, but will focus on young women. Many studies have shown that virility and multiple sexual partners are indicators for masculinity (WHO, 2003). This is not taken into account in the NSP. Also, factors that inhibit condom use, such as gendered based violence, couples who want to have children and non-consensual sexual intercourse are not included in the interventions regarding prevention.
A comprehensive package will be created to promote male sexual health and address gender and gender-based violence (DoH, 2007). It is not clear what type of package can be created to ensure both male sexual health and address gender violence. It is necessary to create a clearer focus on the increased HIV risk of men if they involve themselves in gender based violence. This issue is not mentioned in this strategic plan.
Programmes will be introduced that address stereotyping of gender identities that contribute to gender based violence (DoH, 2007). It is once again not clear what types of groups will be the focus of this. The assumption is made that these programmes will be created to educate the general society about groups such as men who have sex with men, transgender people and homosexual groups.
In reducing the number of infections, government also aims to increase the accessibility of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (DoH, 2007). Government is not providing any clear guidelines in the provision of PEP⁵². According to HRW (2003) there is inadequate information available in South Africa regarding PEP. Health care providers, the police as well as staff members at rape crisis centres lack information regarding the provision of PEP. The information regarding this is also not available to the public, social workers and health care providers.
The strategy of government with regards to occupational injuries and sexual assault is not clear. Added to this, there are no clear guidelines in the provision of PEP in the case of condom breakage when the man is known to be infected with HIV.