Stories that need to be told since 2004
Aids And Ignorance
© Andreas Bardell/Aftonbladet/ZUMA (bios)
Swaziland has the sad distinction of the highest HIV rate in the world, with more than one in four adults estimated to be carrying the virus. The country also accounts for nearly half the HIV deaths of children under five, approximately 17,000 children are exposed to HIV infection at birth annually. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the country in 1986, the virus has spread at an alarming rate and now Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world at 26 percent. Multiple partners, child marriages, polygamy and gender inequality continues throughout Swaziland. Such traditions have been shown to heighten the spread of HIV and increase a person’s risk of infection. Reassuringly, Swaziland recently enforced the new Child Protection Act that prohibits marriage to underage girls, men who enter into an underage marriage, could face up to 20 years imprisonment. It is hoped that this will increase the rights of young girls and help reduce the spread of HIV.
© Andreas Bardell/Aftonbladet/ZUMA (bios)
Swaziland has the sad distinction of the highest HIV rate in the world, with more than one in four adults estimated to be carrying the virus. The country also accounts for nearly half the HIV deaths of children under five, approximately 17,000 children are exposed to HIV infection at birth annually. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the country in 1986, the virus has spread at an alarming rate and now Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world at 26 percent. Multiple partners, child marriages, polygamy and gender inequality continues throughout Swaziland. Such traditions have been shown to heighten the spread of HIV and increase a person’s risk of infection. Reassuringly, Swaziland recently enforced the new Child Protection Act that prohibits marriage to underage girls, men who enter into an underage marriage, could face up to 20 years imprisonment. It is hoped that this will increase the rights of young girls and help reduce the spread of HIV.
Aids And Ignorance
© Andreas Bardell/Aftonbladet/ZUMA (bios)
Swaziland has the sad distinction of the highest HIV rate in the world, with more than one in four adults estimated to be carrying the virus. The country also accounts for nearly half the HIV deaths of children under five, approximately 17,000 children are exposed to HIV infection at birth annually. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the country in 1986, the virus has spread at an alarming rate and now Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world at 26 percent. Multiple partners, child marriages, polygamy and gender inequality continues throughout Swaziland. Such traditions have been shown to heighten the spread of HIV and increase a person’s risk of infection. Reassuringly, Swaziland recently enforced the new Child Protection Act that prohibits marriage to underage girls, men who enter into an underage marriage, could face up to 20 years imprisonment. It is hoped that this will increase the rights of young girls and help reduce the spread of HIV.
© Andreas Bardell/Aftonbladet/ZUMA (bios)
Swaziland has the sad distinction of the highest HIV rate in the world, with more than one in four adults estimated to be carrying the virus. The country also accounts for nearly half the HIV deaths of children under five, approximately 17,000 children are exposed to HIV infection at birth annually. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in the country in 1986, the virus has spread at an alarming rate and now Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world at 26 percent. Multiple partners, child marriages, polygamy and gender inequality continues throughout Swaziland. Such traditions have been shown to heighten the spread of HIV and increase a person’s risk of infection. Reassuringly, Swaziland recently enforced the new Child Protection Act that prohibits marriage to underage girls, men who enter into an underage marriage, could face up to 20 years imprisonment. It is hoped that this will increase the rights of young girls and help reduce the spread of HIV.
