- Provision of needles and supervised injection rooms for drug users.
- Legalisation of abortion and provision of safe abortion services.
- The famous billboard around Mulago-Wandegeya: IF CHEATING, USE A CONDOM.
- Provision of condoms in schools.
- If people can inject themselves properly with new needles- less Hepatitis C and fewer chances of vascular diseases that can even lead to sepsis, loss of limbs and death.
- Research has shown that in Uganda for example, abortion related deaths account for 26% of maternal mortality so if abortion services were provided, we could keep more women alive(1).
- You don't have to be a statistician to know that extramarital affairs are going on. In 2008, 43% of the new HIV infections in adults were among people in monogamous discordant relationships(2). That is a pretty high percentage for married people and those cohabiting so yes, cheating is happening. Condoms can help them not infect their partners (or themselves in the first place) so that everyone can live longer, we can have fewer orphans and less donor money required to pay for drugs.
I am about to finish making a case. You see.. the data says that in Uganda, boys have their first sexual encounter on average at 18 and girls at 16 which is earlier in the low/uneducated(3). So if people are having sex that early(this study was done in 2006), why not provide condoms for the teenagers, prevent HIV(we must remember that there are a number of HIV positive adolescents who were acquired the virus from their mothers) and keep everybody living longer. Surely, how can I or anyone be opposed to life?
I must ask: Is it enough for our goal to be preservation of life? Are we sure that there is nothing being sacrificed or traded-off in the process? Are we creating a 'better' world for our children's children? What do we even mean by 'better'? We must remember that there are things that are not easily measured.
Clearly, the world I want is not the world that is. I am in the world that is. And it is not easy. There are various issues that need to be addressed but I am convinced that the 'HOW' is very important so that in the process of trying to stay alive, we do not become people that we hate. Life is more than just living but one can say that that is easier to say when you are still alive. I am committed to trying to figure out the how. You see, I can not live in my little bubble- I have a part to play in this world.
What does the Bible have to say about a lot of this? A lot I am sure but one of the things that surprised me is how even in the garden of Eden, man got to choose.
Light of the world, You stepped into this darkness to bring light and true life. Abundant life. Help me to see the world with your eyes. Help me to represent you and help those struggling in the dark to see your light. Your light that brings true life.
"Health is not merely the absence of disease but complete physical mental and social well being..." World Health Organisation.
I so hear what you are saying but i believe 2006 data (7 years old) is not totally enough for me though i do recognise the challenge. Instead of abortions and what not what about more govt aided crisis pregnancy centers where girls can be counselled and cared for before during and after childbirth. We do not have to follow models elsewhere which want to save life by ending another. but hey i may be part of a "radical" "narrowminded" minority :)
ReplyDeleteHow about a less stress full goal driven money minded education or work environment that drives people to substance abuse for relief or amusement. Better centers for rehabilitation etc and perhaps tough laws against the drug trade.
For condoms, i suspect i have folded cause my peers seem unable to do without it so if they must walk in the rain let them have umbrellas or something.
Allow one rat soon you'll have a colony...in response to your last comment, the umbrellas, viz a viz compromise
DeletePacutho- LOL @umbrellas :-) I like what you said about us not having to save a life by ending another. It is just painful to see a young girls/ woman lose her uterus because of an abortion gone wrong. I still remember the girl who I examined and found a stick stuck down there (local ways of abortion). Anyway. These issues are real and there is no hiding from them. But we can find ways of preventing the problems or better dealing with the outcomes.
DeleteI like what you said about not turning into someone that you hate.Yes it is a fine line between being relevant to the world in which one lives and also not betraying one,s principles.For me it always helps to distinguish between personal choices and minimum standards.As a human rights lawyer who is a christian I am constantly challenged but for me it comes down to choice.Yes I am a Christian and yes I am pro.choice because as much as some of the choices people may make go against the principles of my faith,my very understanding of Christianity is anchored in the right to choose.The right to choose what is right because you have seen the error of your ways not because a legislation is forcing you in a particular direction.I think Jesus is perfectly able to make his case before any individual in a manner that they understand and appreciate.That being said ,it is such a challenge even when it comes to personal choices to go against the flow and stand alone apart from the crowd.It really is difficult and I struggle every day and sadly most days I lose,so yes it comes down to looking in the mirror and still liking the person that you see.The greatest betrayal is of one's own self.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are saying about the struggle.. I think what I pray for myself is that I wont give up but that I will get up and try again and fight again and try to figure it out again.
DeleteThis is a well written out piece. As i pursue my Msc.PH, with particular interest in reproductive health these are constant issues that are raised.My tutors having no african experience whatsoever offer very utopian solutions.#mob respect for them btw.love the practicability Grace. However im left wondering why these seem like secondary solutions? If we or say I are to look back at what has made us different well apart from Christ, the strong foundation one gets as a kid. . . Building onto a stronger ability to say yes or no, choices etc. What could be done before these majority actually get to their teens? For longer term benefits.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your say?
So when you say foundation, my guess is you are referring to family and education. Both of which are very important and play a role. With all the ongoing societal changes, family isnt quite what it used to be. Also,there are so many things that influence behavior! Media is a pretty big deal as well. Unfortunately, regardless of how one looks at it, there are no easy solutions to these issues.
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