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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Sex in times of HIV/AIDS: Ideas on sexuality and gender in Zambia
| Panel |
64. Sexualities in Africa
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| Paper ID | 190 |
| Author(s) |
Rasing, Thera
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | This paper examines sex and sexuality in current Zambia, and focuses on ideas around sex in times of HIV/AIDS. Sexuality is important, since it concerns all adult people in their private lives, but it also concerns the whole community. There is a connection between the social context, either the community or society at large, and the personal individual behaviour, since the latter might affect the whole community.
This is not only seen by the various ideas on sex, such as the ‘traditional’ belief that sex is a right and pleasure for both men and women, and that sex is dangerous for the person him/herself as well as for the community if not performed in the right way, but sex also affects the person and society, for instance in the face of HIV/AIDS. Sexuality is a fundamental issue, expressing sexual appetite, desire, and love. Through sex, gender roles are expressed and confirmed. This is for instance taught in female initiation rites and wedding ceremonies. In these rites, women are taught about the importance of sex, both as a pleasure and for procreation, and are taught to have a major role in sex once they are married, such as taking initiative to sexually approach the husband, and be active during intercourse. Hence women play a major role in sex and sexuality. This creates their sense of self. Woman are supposed to have sex regularly; not only married women, but also widows or divorced women in their reproductive years.
In today’s Zambia, however, two main aspects have influenced ideas on sexuality, and subsequently affected sexual behaviour. One aspect is Christianity, the other is the HIV/AIDS pandemic and awareness, as emphasized by (international) NGOs. Both Christianity and NGOs emphasize the same views, based on Western moral conduct which includes abstinence for unmarried people, and within marriage faithfulness, a subservient and passive sexual role for women, and sex for procreation rather than for fun. Yet, despite these new social contexts of Christianity and HIV/AIDS, old beliefs surrounding sexuality are still valued.
Nevertheless, new ideas around sex, promoted by (international) NGOs, have affected the sexual behaviour of people. These ideas are opposed to ‘traditional’ ideas on sex. How do people deal with these ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’ ideas? How do they combine them, take aspects of them, or ignore them? How have ideas and practices of sex changed, due to HIV/AIDS awareness? How has this affected individuals, an how does it affect the community?
The paper shows the changed ideas about sexuality. However, Western views of moral conduct have only slightly affected individuals’ sexual behaviour. ‘Traditional’ ideas are still taught in initiation rites, and are still practised. Women continue to take the lead in sexual relationships, both within and outside marriage. This individual sexual behaviour is influenced by and affects the community, creating a sense of self and confirming both ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ ideas of womanhood (and manliness).
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