PRESS RELEASE       
Enquiries: Heinrich Botes                                                                                 
Tel:         +27 32 481 5550                                                                                           
Mobile : +27 72 219 1962

Doctors for Life International applauds the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, for her boldness in so eloquently stating the basic truth about AIDS prevention: “For young people the message is abstain, abstain and abstain”. She also publicly condemned the distribution of condoms at schools.

The DOE’s decision in September 1999 to distribute condoms in schools sent out a double message to young people encouraging sexual activity while labelling it potentially dangerous. This approach constitutes a reckless experiment with human beings. Past experience and numerous studies on these types of AIDS prevention strategies have shown that they indeed promote promiscuity and often give youth a false sense of security.  Learners are usually not informed of the 20% failure rate of condoms.  The effect of a mixed message can be found in the fact that, time and again the government has had to admit failure with existing programs in stemming the AIDS pandemic.  South Africa remains the country with the most AIDS cases in the world. 

The failure of condom based strategies stands in stark contrast to the roaring success of abstinence based programs that present a clear and consistent message. The success of AIDS prevention programs does not rest on the availability of a technical device but lies in the promotion of value systems.

Over the past 10 years the government has, to a certain extent, changed their approach following pressure from DFL and other organisations promoting family values. At present, the Department of Health supports the “ABC approach”; (A for abstinence, B for be faithful and C for condoms).  DFL supports the introduction of the “A” and the “B” part of the strategy. We have found however, that the condom message confuses the youth and nullifies the impact of the other two messages. 

Once again, DFL commends Minister Pandor for speaking out on this important issue.  We call on her to effect the necessary changes by discontinuing the distribution of condoms at schools and to promote abstinence as the superior alternative to “safer sex”.

Doctors for Life International is actively involved in the prevention, care and support of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This includes awareness campaigns, home based terminal care for People with AIDS and the care of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.