Nigerian religious organizations’ inability to accept family planning—such as the use of condoms—is fueling the spread of HIV, says Beatrice Nwibechukwu, the South East regional director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria.
On Tuesday, Nwibechukwu urged religious leaders to reconsider their stance on condom use, citing the important role of churches, non-government organizations and the media in promoting family planning and reproductive health issues.
Nwibechukwu also claimed that “billings/natural or calendar” methods promoted by church leaders are inadequate forms of contraception, and explained that use of artificial devices prevents transmission of STDS and ovulation, and do not “terminate the life of an unborn baby.”
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
