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Tanzanian legislator shocks with condom views, 3 April 2004

Mengi asks MP to clarify condom use claims 2004-04-03 07:33:28

By Guardian Reporter

Businessman Reginald Mengi (left), who also sits on the Tanzania Aids Commission, with Amref-Tanzania chairman Andy Chande (centre) and US Ambassador to Tanzania Robert Royall The Executive Chairman of IPP Limited, Reginald Mengi, has advised the Musoma-Rural legislator who was quoted by the media recently as condemning the use of condoms in preventing HIV transmission allegedly because they were made for Europeans to disown the statement.
In his statement issued in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mengi requested the legislator to refute the media statement if he was actually misquoted.
The Executive Chairman's statement reads: "Recently, there has been a media report that the Hon. Member of Parliament for Musoma-Rural Constituency in Mara Region has dismissed the use of condoms as a tool of preventing HIV transmission allegedly because head gears were made for Europeans.

"It was reported that the Hon. Member of Parliament said that many residents of the district cannot carry condoms with them for use in their cassava farms where they hide during sexual intercourse.
He is further quoted as saying that, and I quote in translation: 'It has been learnt that sexual intercourse in dusty areas cannot cause transmission because viruses that spread diseases die in such environments.'
"I am terribly shocked by this story and find it extremely difficult to believe that the Hon. Member of Parliament did actually say what was reported and quoted by the media, that condoms are made for use by Europeans and that sexual intercourse in dusty areas should not be feared, supposedly because viruses which transmit diseases cannot do so in dusty environments as they get killed in such circumstances,
"It is quite possible that as I talk about this story, many people not only in Musoma-Rural Constituency, but also people elsewhere who have read the story have abandoned the use of condoms and are instead having sexual intercourse in the dust as a means of controlling HIV transmission.
"Many ordinary people readily accept, believe and act on what their leaders say and especially their Members of Parliament, who are closer to them than other leaders.
Consequently, leaders must be extra careful about what they say; their statements must be positive and of benefit to those members of society who believe them.
"And for the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which threatens to wipe out our nation, leaders must promote all means that are available and are used to control HIV transmission without opposing the use of any one of them. Whoever does not accept any of the means is free to disregard it, but he should not resort to its condemnation.
He should leave it to those who accept and are using it.

It is not true that condoms were made for use by Europeans.
Condoms have been proved by experts as an effective tool for the prevention of HIV transmission worldwide. Those who use condoms as preventive tools should be left free to continue using them.
''As I mentioned on the outset, I do not believe the Hon. Member of Parliament made the statements quoted in the news story.
Because of the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the adverse consequences that may arise as a result of members of society believing in the news story disseminated by the media, I request the Hon. Member of Parliament to refute the statement through the media if he did not say what he is reported to have said," the statement concludes.
SOURCE: Guardian