December 7, 2009

South Africa’s Zulu King Promotes Male Circumcision

South African King Goodwill Zwelithini has proposed reintroducing the practice of circumcision to curb HIV transmission among Zulus, reports BBC News. Traditionally practiced as part of a Zulu ritual, circumcision was outlawed by King Shaka in the 19th century when he claimed that it sidelined young warriors for months at a time.

But, according to the article, the Zulu nation is embracing South African President Jacob Zuma’s recent call to make the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority.

King Zwelithini said, “In the context of the fight against HIV and AIDS, I should announce my intention to revive the practice of circumcision amongst young men.”
Studies have shown that circumcised men have 50 percent less chance of contracting HIV than uncircumcised men. Five million people are living with HIV in South Africa—the highest prevalence in the world.

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DP, Paris, France, 2009-12-10 18:33:13
HIV infection rates are higher in the US (where most adult males are circumcised) than in Europe. It is also higher in Israel than in Sweden. Circumcision has not done much to lower HIV infection rates in the US or Israel! So why would it in Africa?

waterbirthinwoman, , 2009-12-08 15:13:57
If circumcision would help prevent AIDS in Africa, why did it not prevent it in the U.S.A.? This is a dangerous export of the American culture. Fast, inexpensive and bound to have big apologies later when men are angry about being mutilated without any benefit.

James Loewen, Vancouver, BC, 2009-12-08 11:02:01
Cutting off normal healthy body parts to prevent HIV infection is a dangerous distraction and a step backwards in safer sex education. Circumcision does not stop AIDS. POZ magazine should look seriously at the push to circumcise Africa and expose those who have been promoting this foolishness. Circumcision for "medical reasons" is medical fraud, the whole history of medicalized circumcision show us that.