S.M. Kang’ethe

Exploring Myths Associated with HIV/AIDS with Examples from A Few Countries of the World

Abstract There are various myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS within South African communities that lead to the stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of this paper is to explore and spell out the underpinnings on underpinnings on myths surrounding HIV/AIDS in South Africa. This paper has used a review of literature methodology. Findings indicate that South Africa embraces immense mythical beliefs about HIV/AIDS. Also myths flourish due to: misinformation, misinterpretation, misperceptions of information associated with HIV/AIDS; are reinforced by cultures and patriarchy; and are also associated with the traditional healers. As a way of dispelling the myths, the paper recommends clients to look or seek scientific evidence in the therapies at their disposal, adapt the use of condoms, demystify the use of the ARV treatment modalities; and enhance community education; and government to regulate the work of traditional healers.

Social Capital from Informal Networks Can be a Fertile Niche to Mitigate HIV/AIDS and Poverty: Examples from South Africa and Botswana

Abstract The aim and objective of this paper is to prompt an educational discourse and debate on how countries can use the social capital embedded in informal groupings (and their interactions) as a platform to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS such as facing off stigma; and poverty in Southern African countries of Botswana and South Africa. This is because most of the strategies governments have put in place are apparently inadequate or their implementation pace moves at a snail’s pace. The paper has used secondary and eclectic data sources. Findings indicate that informal groupings’ potent social capital can constitute strong platforms for HIV/AIDS information dissemination, lobbying and advocacy; as well as form invaluable forums that can facilitate and act as poverty alleviation and mitigation tools. The paper has theoretically and eclectically been premised on strengths and empowerment perspective as well as social network theory.

An Examination of HIV and AIDS Campaign in South Africa towards Eliminating Stigmatisation

Abstract The fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic in South Africa has proved difficult because of the state of stigmatisation that the pandemic has ushered in. The objective of this paper is to discuss the undesirable effects of stigmatisation and possible measures to address the phenomenon in South Africa. The paper has used extensive review of literature to generate debates and discourses on stigmatisation. Findings indicate that stigmatisation is still pervasive and prevalent due to: communities being subjected to different and conflicting truths on HIV and AIDS from both traditional and the bio-medical practitioners; poor policy and campaign conceptualization at nascent stages of the campaign making the disease looks mysterious and fearful; and inadequate community education on stigma and stigmatisation. The paper recommends: increased political goodwill; massive community mobilization and sensitization campaigns especially on stigma and stigmatisation; benchmarking the campaign strategies with other model countries that have tackled stigma; and taking advantage of South Africa’s idol personalities in the campaign who have overcome stigmatisation

Exploring the Stumbling Blocks on the Way to a Successful Male Circumcision Campaign in Zimbabwe

Abstract The present research, through a review of literature aimed to discuss the challenges that the government of Zimbabwe faced in its quest to win its male circumcision campaign. Findings indicated the following stumbling blocks to the campaign: The socio-historical dimension of male circumcision; perceptions surrounding male circumcision and witchcraft; knowledge and awareness gaps regarding male circumcision, and its benefits thereof; fallacies regarding male circumcision; funding and infrastructural gaps; and exorbitant prices offered by private and public circumcision practitioners in Zimbabwe. The researchers made the following suggestions as the way forward to bolster the campaign: Adequate funding and enhanced infrastructure for the circumcision campaign; the government to strengthen male circumcision drive and strictly regulate male circumcision pricing; and foster collaboration of diverse players in the campaign.

Exploring Lost and Available Opportunities for Youth Empowerment in Selected African Countries

Abstract This paper aims to discuss pertinent lost opportunities towards youth empowerment as well as available opportunities to advance their empowerments. The paper uses dialogue, debates and perspectives from selected African countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, DRC and Kenya. These are the countries that form evidence of the factors that have been discussed in the paper. Findings indicate the following environment militating against youth empowerment: Youth’s exploitation of their labour by the their parents/guardians/adults; being used as agents of violence and war by the adults/governments; being used for voting purposes at the political expediency of the adults/politicians; adults’ condescending attitudes towards the youth; being used by their parents/societies to advance cultures for the gains of their parents/societies, but detrimental to their rights; and their increased indulgence in drug abuse. The following represents avenues of empowerment: Their physical strength to tap resources; their capacity and access to higher education; capacity to embrace diversity and being explorative; and embracing the spirit of indigenisation. The paper concludes by advocating for increased recognition of youth as agents of development by adults, governments, NGOs and private sector; increased funding of youth activities; and increased goodwill from the government and the adults to offer them a platform to realize their potential.

Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Care Institutions: Exploring Their Possible Damage to Children in a Few Countries of the Developing World

Abstract The aim of the paper, adopting a desk review of literature, debates, critics, reviews, reflects and discusses the various types of damages to children in OVC’s care institutions with the hope of coming with different perspectives to strengthen the already known solutions, or shed new or newer light to tackle the state of children in institutionalized care: Findings reveal the following facets of psychosocial-emotional damage inherent in OVC care institutions: They present growth challenges that negatively affects the childrens’ cognitive development, future and behaviour; Children are denied capacity to make social networks that could be useful in their future; OVCs are prone to delinquency and other socially ill behaviours; Provides an environment that does not ground children in a particular desirable culture; and offers poor attachment to children that kills their emotionality. The paper recommends to governments and child care organizations to conduct a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of having children in OVC institutions and being integrated into communities; and advocates for de- institutionalization.

Exploring Feminization of HIV/AIDS and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) with Examples from Botswana and South Africa

Abstract The paper, through desk a review of literature aims to explore the underpinnings of feminization of HIV/AIDS and their linkages to Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). Findings indicate that: many women than men are infected by HIV/AIDS; feminization of poverty largely informs feminization of HIV/AIDS; societies embrace the myth that HIV/AIDS is a woman’s disease; and care giving is predominantly carried out by women. The following are suggested strategies to redress feminization of HIV/AIDS: Forming a men’s only sector to mobilize men to expedite response; working to dilute patriarchy; and embracing gender swap, gender readjustment and gender realignment.

The Panacea and Perfidy Associated with Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Living in Institutionalized Care in Some Countries of the Developing World

Abstract This paper aims, through a literature review methodology, to discuss, raise debates and discourses on the panacea or benefits associated with institutionalized care; as well as the deficiencies or the perfidy embedded in them. Findings indicate that institutionalized care: ensures provision of OVC education; saves OVC from debilitating livelihoods; offers a second best alternative home to then. OVC institutions are also found to have the following deficiencies: Lack of individualized attention for normal child growth; are usually beset by an array of different abuses; are usually beset by power, politics and poverty in the working environment; workforce usually suffers from burnout, and inadequate coping strategies and control. The researchers have suggested the following as the way forward: advocating for ‘family first’ initiative; provision of requisite resources in community based domiciles; and supporting caregivers’ well-being in tandem with the OVC.

Evaluating the Success and Implementation of Millennium Development Goal Number One towards Eradicating Hunger and Poverty of Women and Children in South Africa

Abstract The aim of this article is, through a review of literature, to evaluate the extent to which South Africa has fulfilled the Millennium Development Goal number one, which focuses on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. The paper aims to summarize the recent trends with regards to the well being of women and children in South Africa on issues pertaining to poverty and hunger. The paper explains government efforts and programs put in place to achieve such a goal. It goes on to look into the factors that weigh down achievement towards ensuring a better life for all. Analyzing existing data on women and children’s status so as to provide information on their rights and to identify areas and capacity gaps that need to be addressed by various stakeholders dealing with programs is also highlighted in this paper. Last but not least, the paper has highlighted on the progress made since the implementation of the MDGs in order to enhance the wellbeing of women and children towards eradicating extreme hunger and poverty in South Africa.

Exploring Challenges and Opportunities Embedded in Small-scale Farming in Zimbabwe

Abstract Incontrovertibly, small-scale farming in Zimbabwe has increased its importance especially since the wave of the land reforms set off in the early 1980’s but gaining sterling momentum after the 2008 land reform period. This is because it is a source of food, income and provide the government with revenue. The purpose of this paper is, through a review of literature methodology, to debate and discuss opportunities available for small-scale farmers and the challenges the sector faces. Findings indicate that the distribution and segmentations of land offered and facilitated ownership of the land to the poor majority; facilitated more indigenization of the economy and more grassroots local participation in agricultural productivity; and mass population’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Also, the small-scale farming’s sustenance has been made possible by processes such as land contracting; and government assistance with the requisite infrastructure such as tractors and farm inputs. Unfortunately, productivity in this sector has rather been stagnating due to an array of the following factors: weaker government policies, weaker political structures and interferences, politically motivated agricultural reforms, low human capacities to bolster farming especially cash crops for exports; and contracting the land and marketing challenges of the produce. The paper recommends or advocates for training of the small-scale farmers, government to offer them meaningful subsidies and a better political environment to facilitate production and marketing