In her essay “What the Rest of Africa Could Learn about AIDS” Jessica Reaves suggest that “comprehensive sex education—including information about condoms and how to use them—is one of the most important weapons in the fight against AIDS. ” According to Reaves, countries in Africa with high infection rates could significantly reduce the outbreak of AIDS by simply promoting safe sex. Reaves concludes this by looking at statistics and taking note that African countries with lower rates of AIDS are participating in safe sex and are actively informed about safe sex.
Reaves took interest in seeking information about AIDS prevention after taking note that some countries in Africa had rates as low as 0. 9 percent, while others had rates as high as 18. 8, 19. 6 and 24. 1 percent of the AIDS virus. Reaves talks about visiting a classroom filled with twelve and thirteen year old students who were more than excited to talk about sex, she was also surprised at their knowledge on the subject. These young students were from Senegal, a country with a low rate of AIDS. After this initial instance, Reaves is then intrigued with questions on why this is possible.
She later concludes that the country of Senegal’s government is actively involved in sex education, providing prevention programs and plenty of resources. Therefore, being open minded and speaking openly about sex can significantly help decrease the spread of AIDS. Other factors do affect AIDS prevention, such as religion. At one point Reaves speaks to an imam who states that they do not teach the concept of condoms because it contradicts their religion, but instead teach abstinence before marriage and monogamy after. Although this is a nice concept, the reality of abstinence and monogamy is too much to ask for from some people.
This causes the city of Kolda to have a slightly higher rate of AIDS, at three percent. Therefore, it seems that rather than avoiding the fact that people have premarital sex and do not always stay faithful to their spouses, they should do as Senegal does and promote safe sex. The United States has taken a part in AIDS prevention in Africa by having the UNFPS fund a program called the Group for the Study and Teaching of Population Issues, or GEEP. Over the past thirteen years GEEP has delayed girls in Senegal of having sex three years longer than their mothers’ generation. Including, the use of condoms has risen seventy percent.
Therefore, Reaves argues that teaching kids about condoms and safe sex does not promote sex but simply informs them on safe sex and their options. This helps decrease their risk of contracting AIDS. PEPFAR is the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This program funds sex education classes as long as condom talks are restrained and must be in favor of abstinence based lessons. This funding would be a great contribution if only it didn’t have so many restrictions. The Bush administration only allows abstinence-only agendas, leaving no room for realistic possibilities.
“Abstinence, Be Faithful and Use Condoms,” is what is taught in Senegal. Although this logic seems to be working for Senegal, it simply does not abide by the PEPFAR policy, causing all funding to end. With no more funding, Senegal depends on donations from the UNFPA, Global Fund and independent grants. Hence, we need more programs to fund sex education. Overall, it is safe to stay that speaking openly about safe sex and being realistic about premarital sex and infidelity can help decrease the risk of AIDS not only in Africa but worldwide.
AIDS is 100 percent preventable and instead of being close minded and oblivious to statistics, it is clear that early sex education is only beneficial in every aspect. Sex education, condoms and abstinence should be spoken about without embarrassment. Talking about sex should not be embarrassing but should be encouraged. Sex education is not taught for the purpose of having sex but to be informed and prevent the possible negative outcomes from having sex.
Work Cited Reaves, Jessica. “What the Rest of Africa Could Learn About AIDS. ” U. S. News & World Report. 28 July 2009. Rpt.In Perspectives on Contemporary Issues. Ed. Katherine Anne Ackley. Boston: Cengage, 2012. 454-56 Response In the article “What the Rest of Africa Could Learn About AIDS” I completely agree with Jessica Reaves’s thesis. Reaves thesis states that comprehensive sex education—including information about condoms and how to use them—is one of the most important weapons in the fight against AIDS. I believe this is true because using a condom should be a natural process when having sex and some people may not be informed about condoms, therefore putting them at risk for contracting AIDS.
The main points Reaves points out is that people from countries teaching sex education have lower AIDS rates than countries who allow religion to stand in the way of teaching the practices of using condoms. Obviously Reaves support is completely logical, the statistics prove that. I do not have any personal experience with AIDS or any other type of STD and that is probably because my parents have informed me about safe sex and have always been open to any questions I had.