The Politics of Prevention
New book shows that while billions are being spent on treating HIV, prevention is being overlooked.
A new book called the Politics of Prevention, draws on ActionAid’s experiences to show that whilst billions are being spent on treating HIV, prevention is being overlooked. Young people are being denied their right to life-saving education,
“Teachers should be at the heart of international efforts to prevent HIV, with each new year-group an opportunity to prevent the virus,” said David Archer, International Head of Education at ActionAid. But too often prevention is not a priority because it is so political. Those who should be part of the solution have become part of the problem
Firstly, the US government is accused of exporting ideologically-based “abstinence-only” models to Africa, despite their lack of scientific basis. The effect has been to undermine the reputation of most important tool in prevention: the condom.
Second, the IMF is accused of undermining spending on HIV and on education - in direct contradiction with the international development goals set for 2015. Archer comments:
“The IMF is supposed to help countries achieve economic stability - but by blocking spending on HIV and education they are allowing the crippling of the workforce which is the backbone of any economy,” he added.
Third, the UN is accused of being too timid to take leadership on issues which might prove controversial with influential member states.
“The UN appears unable to show leadership to ensure targeted support for gay men, condoms and needle exchange programmes despite scientific evidence that these work,” said Archer. “It’s also reluctant to talk about the holiest of grails – sex.”
The authors urge the international AIDS community to recognise and address the underlying politics of HIV prevention.
‘‘David Archer and Tania Boler have given us a wonderful investigation of the ways and means of fighting the spread of AIDS through the expansion of education: better schooling, enhancement of public knowledge, understanding of science. With their rich collection of empirical studies, they show that the newest of the perils facing humanity (viz. AIDS) can be powerfully confronted by the oldest of human endeavours (viz. education).’’
Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize-winning Professor of Economics and Philosophy, Harvard University.
"The Politics of Prevention brings together stories from around the world that explore and expose the nature of the twin crises - in education and in HIV. This timely book places the HIV epidemic in the context of wider international affairs. The realisation of rights needs to serve as the foundation for responding to the globalised challenges of HIV and education. The Politics of Prevention offers us real and inspiring examples of how this vision can become a reality, advancing the notion of shared responsibility for the global challenges of HIV and education."
Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland / Former UN High Commisioner for Human Rights
The Politics of Prevention: A Global Crisis in AIDS and Education by Tania Boler and David Archer. Published by Pluto Press, Priced £10.99.
All author proceeds will go to ActionAid. Copies of the publication may be ordered at:
www.amazon.co.uk.
David Archer is International Head of Education at ActionAid in London
Tania Boler is a leading researcher on HIV and education who has worked with ActionAid and the United Nations.
© Tom Lynton / Pluto Press