FROM THE NATIONAL
HEALTH: The real scourge
Come Father's Day, let men change their attitudes to give mothers a better deal, says ENNIO KUBLE
ALL over the world, people think of their mothers, showing their appreciation to her in many different ways, especially on Mother's Day which was celebrated last Sunday.
As I reflect on what being a mother truly means on that day, my mind sadly recollects those who are brutishly being abused - by fathers, brothers, sons.
Certain forms of abuse and discrimination have existed around the world against women.
Wars and conflicts, both domestic and international, have displaced women. They find themselves in perilous positions and are vulnerable to being raped, tortured, enslaved and to starvation and diseases.
This is not new, it had been happening around the world from the primitive days to the most modern age.
Even in a civilised society, certain forms of abuse and discrimination can still be found in homes, on the streets and in work places.
Today, women are now facing a new threat, particularly in developing countries.
This threat is no other than a virus. Oops! Not a computer virus but a virus that can actually kill the person who is giving commands to the computer.
It is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that develops the incurable disease, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (AIDS).
In some societies, men see women as HIV carriers. Could that be correct? Now go to any particular nightspots in Port Moresby, and you will see men actually having financial wars to get the most good looking women who stay around the bar, sipping cold Ice beer.
From what I gathered, the more money a man pays, the more command he gets over her. He can even refuses the use of condoms, or at times take her out for "line-ups".
Another trend, which is gradually creeping into the PNG society is carnal knowledge and indecent assault. The abusers even forget their own genesis.
If the society continues to place women in these situations, it will definitely add on to over 14 million women infected with HIV virus in the world today, representing 40 per cent of all people living with HIV/AIDS.
According to the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, the majority of these women live in developing countries and come from among the poorest in their societies.
"For cultural, social and economic reasons, many of these women do not have equal status with men in society; they are often powerless to avoid HIV infection, and once infected their situation does not improve," the organisation said in a report recently.
"For most women, there is little or no access to treatment or information which would allow them to make informed choices. They may be financially dependent, lack assertiveness, and have little control over decisions that affect their own lives.
"They may be isolated and stigmatised within their communities. All over the world, women's issues are sidelined; our voices are not heard. Studies are carried out which look at mother to child transmission, but not at the effect the virus or HAART - for those of us able to access treatments - has on our bodies or on our ability to reproduce,' is their voice.
In PNG, over 2,000 people have been infected with HIV. Almost 40 per cent are once again women.
Women or mothers, because of their much higher vulnerability than men, demand protection and respect. Now, can we give them this protection? There is a good reason to do so.
They are the mothers of this nation and they are the makers of great leaders. If the society is killing them, they go without the special presents every mother has for this nation.
May 14 has gone this year, but mothers are and will be with us every single day.
The society's weapon against mothers is attitudes.
On Father's Day (Sept 3), could certain of our fathers disarm their most deadly attitudes they possess?
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