By Cyprian Musoke

THE Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised sub-Saharan governments that emphasise “abstinence-only” approaches in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

In a statement released to coincide with the World AIDS day today, the New York-based body singled out Uganda for promoting “virginity parades”, while the epidemic worsens.

It said, “In sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of young adults lack adequate knowledge on HIV transmission, yet some governments emphasise “abstinence-only” approaches and promote inaccurate information about the effectiveness of condoms.

“For example in Uganda, the government promotes “virginity parades” and restricts the availability of condoms to youth while the epidemic, in a country once considered a success story, has worsened dramatically,” the body said.

It said 25 years after AIDS was first diagnosed, programmes to fight it continue to be undermined by conservative ideologies and moralistic approaches.

“The most effective approaches for preventing HIV/AIDS are not being used,” said Joe Amon, director of the HIV/AIDS programme at HRW.

“Governments are refusing to adopt evidence-based programmes that respect individual rights and are promoting ideological campaigns that make people vulnerable to infection.”

The body said women were increasingly becoming the “face” of AIDS, but governments refused to address the abuses that cause their vulnerability.

“One in three women will face some form of gender-based violence in her lifetime.

studies have found that women who experience violence are three times more likely to become infected,” the statement said.

The statement said UN members signed, six months ago, a declaration recognising that protection of human rights is essential in the fight against AIDS.