The role of men in preventing HIV/AIDS examined

A number of UN-appointed experts recently met in Brazil to examine the role of the world's men in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. According to the UN Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the meeting comes ahead of a debate, to be held for the first time in 2004, on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. The Brazil meeting aims to contribute to discussions at the 48th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March 2004, where for the first time these topics will be on the agenda. DAW said in a statement: "Ideologies of masculinity and manliness, which encourage men to display sexual prowess by having multiple partners; by stressing aggressiveness and dominance and lack of responsibility in sexual relationships, put men themselves and their partners at risk [of contracting HIV/AIDS]." A four-week online discussion on the positive roles men and boys could play in achieving gender equality at work and in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic has already been conducted by DAW.