HIV infection in Zimbabwe is no longer a criminal offense
HIV is still a high risk in many countries around the world... including Zimbabwe. There are many people who are infected with the dreaded virus every day and spread it afterwards - either knowingly or unknowingly.
In Zimbabwe and in many other African countries, the problem is that many HIV-infected people do not even dare to speak openly about their infection. Until recently, it was often the case that an infection could be punished with a prison sentence of up to 20 years. This is now to come to an end. The reason for this is a change in the existing laws.
Many see the decision as a way of approaching the homosexual community in the African country. But homosexual men in Afirka are still a long way from actual equality. As is so often the case, however, it is the small steps that count.
Laws against homosexual acts: Still an issue in Africa too
The UN and many other organizations support Zimbabwe's decision not to criminalize HIV infections from now on.
Yet the country is far from truly reaching out to the homosexual community. Only a few years ago, a law was passed there that forbids homosexual men from showing any affection. The whole thing was said to be "indecent." Even holding hands has been considered "abnormal" since then.
Because of this view, homosexual or queer people are forced to keep their actual sexuality secret. The same was true - until the aforementioned change in the law - for an HIV infection.
However, it is precisely this kind of secrecy that could ultimately have led to so many people becoming infected here in the past. Many were simply not aware of the risk. People did not talk about HIV. A serious mistake.
The HIV law is now a thing of the past
In Zimbabwe, there seems to be a lot going on with regard to the handling of HIV. Among other things, it was discussed whether it should still be punishable today to be infected with the HI virus.
The result: the corresponding law was deleted. However, this results in another advantage: Anyone who has been infected now has the opportunity to seek treatment. Due to the new possibilities around openness on this topic, the spread of the virus can now certainly also be better kept in check - at least if not only the law but also the thinking in people's minds has changed.
Even though Zimbabwe is one of the most homophobic countries in Africa, the final criminalization of HIV-positive people is a first step in the right direction.
Numbers give hope, but: the fight against AIDS continues
A look at the statistics shows: Fortunately, the number of new HIV infections is currently falling worldwide.
Nevertheless, Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia in particular are still struggling particularly intensively with the virus and the outbreak of the disease. In Africa alone, more than 25 million people are positive.
And by the way: Zimbabwe was no exception with regard to the punishability of being a carrier of the virus. In numerous other countries, similar procedures are (still?) being followed.
And that is exactly why there is still a high number of HIV-positive people all over the world. Those who can get tested and get help are clearly at an advantage. Zimbabwe has taken a step in the right direction. We can only hope that many other countries will follow this example.