For nearly ten years, the slogan 'Break the Silence' has been a feature of AIDS prevention work in South Africa. The slogan is a response to the reluctance of individuals who are HIV positive either to test or to disclose their status. 'Breaking the Silence' is a campaign that seeks to promote acceptance for people living with AIDS and, as a direct consequence, seeks to encourage people to be medically tested for HIV.

The silence around HIV status is not the only silence that bedevils efforts to limit HIV transmission. In many schools there is a culture of silence. Certain subjects are taboo for discussion and teachers and learners are guarded, unable or unwilling to reflect personally on issues of gender and sexuality. Such school cultures seriously undermine AIDS prevention initiatives and place learners and teachers at risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.   Read full article. By Robert Morrell

The overwhelming majority of people with HIV, some 95% of the global total, live in the developing world. The proportion is set to grow even further as infection rates continue to rise in countries where poverty, poor health care systems and limited resources for prevention and care fuel the spread of the virus.

After enduring hundreds of years of oppression, conflict and crisis, Africans now face the most challenging threat to their survival - the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In Africa, 25.3 million people are currently infected with HIV. Specific cultural ideals, identities, and gender roles are crucial factors in the development of particular behaviours that support the perpetuation of HIV. Furthermore, the lasting effects of European colonialism have significantly influenced individual and socio-cultural identity. 
Read full article. By Mervat M. Mohamed

One question that is raised often all around the continent of Africa is: "How do the international agencies like The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) arrive at their estimates for epidemics such as HIV/AIDS?" This is an important question because estimates are used not only to determine how international resources to fight HIV/AIDS will be allocated to countries but also remain the primary source of information about the extent of the epidemic and its impact for both researchers and lay people.

This paper describes the procedures and process used to make the 2001 round of UNAIDS/WHO estimates of HIV/AIDS. The paper also discusses the limitations and weaknesses of the procedures and the data used to make the estimates, and suggests areas where further improvements need to be made.
Read full article. By Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)