the new petro power paradigm - Diplomat Magazine
the new petro power paradigm - Diplomat Magazine
the new petro power paradigm - Diplomat Magazine
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
public health|DIPLOMATICA<br />
about <strong>the</strong> trial with men, take <strong>the</strong> message<br />
to women’s associations and NGOs, and<br />
brief local leaders about <strong>the</strong> trials.<br />
The PR leader of <strong>the</strong> project, Marie<br />
Michele Umulisa, says <strong>the</strong> mission has<br />
reached a stage where <strong>the</strong>re are “no problems<br />
enrolling women. Instead, what we<br />
needed was appropriate communication.<br />
We are in a stage where women come<br />
to us wishing to be tested, because <strong>the</strong>y<br />
understood <strong>the</strong> impact it has on <strong>the</strong>m for<br />
<strong>the</strong> future.”<br />
Most women are eligible to take part,<br />
unless <strong>the</strong>y test positive for HIV/AIDS.<br />
Participation is voluntary and <strong>the</strong> project<br />
provides <strong>the</strong>m with about $10 to cover <strong>the</strong><br />
time lost to consultation and travel to <strong>the</strong><br />
clinic.<br />
Women are impatient to get <strong>the</strong> drug.<br />
“We needed a medicine we can use with<br />
our own preference, because <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
partners who deny any kind of protection,”<br />
says Gertrude Mukayiranga, 43,<br />
president of an association of HIV-positive<br />
women. “O<strong>the</strong>r methods of preventing<br />
AIDS do not interest women because <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are sometimes hard to practise, or men<br />
can discover that you used <strong>the</strong>m without<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir approval. We need this medicine on<br />
<strong>the</strong> market with a cheap price as soon as<br />
possible.” The trial is expected to be completed<br />
by <strong>the</strong> end of 2012.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side, some say <strong>the</strong> microbicide<br />
could mean more infidelity. “I<br />
believe people should abstain from having<br />
sex with people who are not <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
spouse,” says Bernard Gatore, a leader of<br />
a Christian community in Huye District,<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Province, who also heard about<br />
<strong>the</strong> project over <strong>the</strong> radio. But, he says, “I<br />
would go for <strong>the</strong> microbicide only in cases<br />
of rape.”<br />
And one local leader says <strong>the</strong> microbicide<br />
could reduce harm in unconventional<br />
households. Hope Placide Mwiseneza, <strong>the</strong><br />
executive secretary of Kigali’s Gikondo<br />
Sector, says, “One of my sector’s districts<br />
is notorious for its numbers of sex workers.<br />
I think it will help <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong>ir daily<br />
business without contracting AIDS.”<br />
As <strong>the</strong> microbicide is still in <strong>the</strong> trials,<br />
no official results are available yet but<br />
Project Ubuzima, a similar South African<br />
project, has said it expects <strong>the</strong> microbicides<br />
to reduce <strong>the</strong> number of infections<br />
by 90 per cent in users. And <strong>the</strong> drug used<br />
in <strong>the</strong> gel (Dapivirine) in Rwanda is considered<br />
more effective than <strong>the</strong> Tenofovir<br />
used in South Africa.<br />
Maurice Twahirwa is a Rwandan journalist.<br />
experience<br />
Signatures<br />
Join us opening night for <strong>the</strong> launch of Canadian<br />
fashion designer Adrian Wu's 2011 Holiday Collection.<br />
An event for all ages and something for everyone. For 6<br />
days only, 200 of Canada’s finest artists, artisans and<br />
designers will transform <strong>the</strong> Ottawa Convention Centre<br />
into a gallery of specialty boutiques. Shop and enjoy!<br />
Taylor-Stevenson<br />
Glassworks<br />
Serafino<br />
NOVEMBER 15 - 20<br />
29 TH SIGNATURES SHOW<br />
Ottawa Convention Centre<br />
PRESENTED BY<br />
55 Colonel By Drive<br />
Full show details at<br />
www.signaturesottawa.ca<br />
Morin Choiniére<br />
diplomat and international canada 35