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Condoms for Afghanistan? |
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Irin reports that Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, in partnerships with the UN Population Fund and other organizations, will soon distribute millions of condoms throughout Afghanistan. Proponents of the plan cite several potential positive aspects; condoms could slow the spread of HIV/AIDS, provide flexibility in family planning, and contribute to a reduction of maternal mortality.
No one knows exactly how serious the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Afghanistan is. In 2007, a World Bank report said that "the HIV epidemic is at an early stage in Afghanistan," and that only a few hundred cases were known. However, the World Bank also said that a number of populations in the country were at high risk, especially drug users and refugees. The increased availability of condoms could, again, help prevent further transmission of disease. Certainly a heavy rate of infection is one of the last things Afghanistan needs now.
I've complained strongly about the weakness of development efforts in Afghanistan before, and I'll repeat that I don't think we can achieve meaningful success there without major successes in the field of development. Projects like this one offer some promise, in my eyes. There are problems in Afghanistan that I would target first - food insecurity, government corruption, lawlessness, lack of capacity for local conflict resolution - but as Irin's article points out, making changes in family structure can play a crucial role in development. And while it's complicated (and probably foolish) to talk about how the west can "help" women in countries like Afghanistan (how much have we helped so far, exactly?), it's tempting to say that widespread condom use might make a real difference in women's lives and the degree of control they have.
So, I give the idea decently high marks. At the least, it's better than many other projects that have failed there. On the other hand, without a more comprehensive development strategy, at best the condoms will achieve some limited benefits in the midst of other serious problems that are continuing to worsen.
yeah well, I'd say condom avaiability doesn't necessarily mean that they're actually going to use one so the idea is a thumbs down from me. I would also like to solve drug-related issues like HIV-AIDS and violence in most american states and get help for those who need a decent education, health-care and housing. Who cares about condoms in Afghanistan when we are not getting a decent life here? Do I have to move to Afghanistan to receive american taxpayers aid money? this is too much!!