MOST women still find it difficult to negotiate safe sex with their partners.
The problem is even more prevalent among women who are economically dependent on men. Some institutionalised social and cultural norms also fuel the challenge.
Ruth Mokoena, a 30-year-old married woman from Johannesburg, believes that age difference plays a major role in whether a woman is able to negotiate safe sex.
"Women do find themselves in a situation whereby negotiating safe sex in the bedroom becomes a burden," she says.
Mokoena reckons that she probably would have had a similar problem had her partner been older.
Moses Mabala, a 31-year-old male from Johannesburg, also shared his thoughts on the subject.
"Sometimes men will force their way through to have unprotected sex. A woman will be given no opportunity to stand up for herself, which is a wrong thing to do," he says.
Zuzimpilo Clinic's Dr Limakatso Lebina ascribes this to a lack of safer sex methods that put power into women's hands. She says this and other factors, such as the economic and cultural status of women, contributes to women's struggles to negotiate safe sex with their male partners.
Dr Catherine Ongunmefun of the Health Systems Trust also weighed in on the subject.
"There is the issue of cultural practices that are also not helping women. When it comes to ilobola payments ... As a woman, a man pays ilobola for you and that means you have to submit to that man. It's not going to be easy for you to say: 'maybe, we need to use a condom'," Ongunmefun says.
She went on to say that women need to learn to empower themselves.
"Somehow, I think women give in easily. Maybe because they don't have a choice. But if you are economically empowered as a woman and you have a good job, you can negotiate with your partner. You have to find a way not to depend on a man in a relationship."
According to Mbuyiselo Botha of the Sonke Gender Justice Network, men often view sex as an act of power.
With that comes the need to be in control. As a result, the manner in which sex occurs, including whether precautions are taken or not, largely depends on them.
Botha went on to say that men have a notion of invincibility. They tend to believe that HIV and any other sexually transmitted diseases only affect women.
Safe sex is still elusive
MOST women still find it difficult to negotiate safe sex with their partners.
The problem is even more prevalent among women who are economically dependent on men. Some institutionalised social and cultural norms also fuel the challenge.
Ruth Mokoena, a 30-year-old married woman from Johannesburg, believes that age difference plays a major role in whether a woman is able to negotiate safe sex.
"Women do find themselves in a situation whereby negotiating safe sex in the bedroom becomes a burden," she says.
Mokoena reckons that she probably would have had a similar problem had her partner been older.
Moses Mabala, a 31-year-old male from Johannesburg, also shared his thoughts on the subject.
"Sometimes men will force their way through to have unprotected sex. A woman will be given no opportunity to stand up for herself, which is a wrong thing to do," he says.
Zuzimpilo Clinic's Dr Limakatso Lebina ascribes this to a lack of safer sex methods that put power into women's hands. She says this and other factors, such as the economic and cultural status of women, contributes to women's struggles to negotiate safe sex with their male partners.
Dr Catherine Ongunmefun of the Health Systems Trust also weighed in on the subject.
"There is the issue of cultural practices that are also not helping women. When it comes to ilobola payments ... As a woman, a man pays ilobola for you and that means you have to submit to that man. It's not going to be easy for you to say: 'maybe, we need to use a condom'," Ongunmefun says.
She went on to say that women need to learn to empower themselves.
"Somehow, I think women give in easily. Maybe because they don't have a choice. But if you are economically empowered as a woman and you have a good job, you can negotiate with your partner. You have to find a way not to depend on a man in a relationship."
According to Mbuyiselo Botha of the Sonke Gender Justice Network, men often view sex as an act of power.
With that comes the need to be in control. As a result, the manner in which sex occurs, including whether precautions are taken or not, largely depends on them.
Botha went on to say that men have a notion of invincibility. They tend to believe that HIV and any other sexually transmitted diseases only affect women.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos