HIV prevention in South Africa

Okay Ladies, sorry about the late post. I didn't realize it was my week to go. That being said, I was really interested by this week's discussion of the HIV/AIDS issue in Africa and more specifically, the ads and campaign to stop the spread of the disease. I know we have spent a good deal of time addressing pieces of this issue this semester, but I feel like there are still aspects to be discussed. For example, I came across a website for the promotion of HIV awareness in Africa, which had a great deal of information available. This website thouroughly discusses the causes of HIV and lists the great number of issues preventing awareness and education in Africa, including lack of availability, shame, social pressures, and specifically lack of agency in women. The website suggests that 59% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV or AIDS and further suggests that a good deal of this is caused by the women's distinct lack of agency within their communities and more importantly sexual lives. The website goes on to talk about the methods of AIDS education and awareness that the countries are attempting to instate, such as the ones we viewed in class, and discusses their relative successes and failures. The most interesting thing to me within the information the website gave was in the section about how to help women and girls in Africa. This section spoke of recent attempts by doctors to create a microbicide, which would be a cream or gel which can be applied to the vagina, which will block or stave off any potential HIV infection. It was suggested that this could be a possible way to get around the agency issue. What do you think of this idea? If they manage to create this microbicide, do you think that it will significantly help in the decrease of HIV in Africa, or do you think that the issues of education, availability, and agency will continue to keep this from being a viable combattant to the disease? ~Megan Moore~

Red vs. Blue and Life vs. Choice

Hello Ladies!! 

This week we have continued to address the topic of abortion and the different points of views around the world. We have specifically begun to discuss the opposing political viewpoints. I have posted some articles that provide examples which shed light on the opinions and norms of both Republican and Democratic parties below.

Before reviewing the articles reflect back on what we discussed in class on Wednesday in relevance to the different political party viewpoints (Red and Blue). What are their ideas on abortions? What reasonings can support these ideas?

The terms Pro-life and Pro-choice have been associated with the idea of abortion for years. Persons who are "Pro-life" are usually against abortions and believe that even if a baby has not been born he/she is still alive. In turn persons who are "Pro-choice" believe it is a woman's choice to decide to either continue or terminate a pregnancy. 

Do you feel that the ideas of pro-life and pro-choice are sometimes altered (changed) or remain constant given certain situations? For example, and this may be harsh, but how might others (pro-life or pro-choice) reason a woman's decision to abort after having been raped? Or how might  persons, again pro life or pro choice, reason a woman's decision to continue pregnancy after being told she will die if she continues to carry a baby?

-Tiffany Williamson

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Pro-Life-VS-Pro-Choice-Abortion-Fight-Heads-To-Indiana-Statehouse-117588153.html

http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/Article/Anti-Abortion---Pro-Life-vs--Pro-Choice/102883