BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
2 December 2008
Pretoria — While poverty and inequality remain major development challenges confronting the country, there is reason to celebrate the achievements made since the dawn of democracy in terms of gender equity and equality, women participation and representation in politics.
During a seminar on Ten Year's of Implementing Population Policy in South Africa, delegates heard that South Africa had only a 16 percent women representation in 1997 with the number growing steadily to 42.8 percent in 2004.
Today, South Africa has one of the best figures in terms of women representation in decision-making positions.
The review revealed that while the prevention of violence against vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with disabilities and older persons was one of the government priorities, the achievements were overshadowed by the continued suffering of women and children.
The purpose of the ten-year review is to make a countrywide assessment of the state of affairs with regards to population and development trends and dynamics in the context of the policy goal, objectives and strategies and to highlight issues of major concern. The study was conducted in the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme and the Urban Renewal Programme nodal areas.
On the scope and nature of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa, the review revealed that HIV and AIDS have had a serious impact on mortality and other demographic variables in South Africa and failing life expectancy has been one of the most visible impacts of HIV and AIDS on human development.
AIDS-related deaths account for nearly half of all deaths in 2006, there were 350 000 of them.
The overall death rates from all causes have increased by about 80 percent largely due to HIV and AIDS.
"More alarming is the fact that women account for 55 percent of adults estimates living with HIV and AIDS, in the absence of HIV and AIDS, life expectancy at birth was estimated at 67 but has fallen to 50 years with AIDS in 2007," the report said.
Leon Swartz from Population Development's Chief Directorate said factors contributing to the spread of HIV include a lack of knowledge about the disease and perception of risk, multiple and concurrent partnership, intergenerational sex, low rates of male circumcision, a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, migration and its role in the spread of HIV and AIDS as well as Tuberculosis.
"South African Demographic and Health Survey shows an increase in condom use among sexual active women aged between 15 and 48. However, high levels of reported use of condoms have not translated to reduction of HIV," Mr Swartz said.
Social Development Deputy Minister Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs said for government to achieve the 50 percent target as set out in the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections, it need to focus on prevention interventions.
She said prevention interventions need to focus on reducing the number of multiple and concurrent partnerships and intergenerational sex, male involvement, taking responsibility for sexual and reproductive health in HIV prevention and support programmes and in reducing gender-based violence.
The interventions further need to focus on increasing consistent and correct condom use and encourage delayed sexual debuts and reducing multiple sexual partnerships.
The three-day seminar, which kicked off on Monday, will give an overview of population trends and dynamics in South Africa; sexual and reproductive health and rights; HIV and AIDS; gender equity and equality; population, environmental and development; children, families and households; poverty and inequality among other things.
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