Madam, - I fully agree with Senator Mary Henry (January 13th) that the promotion of women's rights is vital if the pandemic of HIV/AIDS is to be overcome. The Education for Life programmes (a behaviour change process) which are promoted in Uganda address such issues as: a woman's right to say no to sex with a man, young or old; the cultural custom of wife inheritance; and the right of women to inherit land and property.
The Ugandan Women's Lawyers Association have been very active in giving legal advice to poorer women. The penalties for rape were doubled from seven to 14 years' imprisonment, and are being enforced in most courts.
Work has also been undertaken to help some young women who are forced into prostitution due to poverty by giving them the education and skills to find other sources of income.
Of course, men have also to be encouraged to change their attitudes and behaviour towards women. Many men, if not the majority, have been attending these workshops and have made such commitments.
The root cause of the spread of the HIV virus, as I pointed out in my article of January 5th, is unacceptable behaviour and attitudes. This is being addressed by value-based programmes in Uganda. Much still needs to be done. - Yours, etc.,
Dr MIRIAM DUGGAN, Gilford Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4.