The UN, through WHO and UNAIDS, supports male circumcision as an addition to HIV prevention. Although there are studies done outside Africa that do not seem to show any preventive effect, the over-whelming evidence seems to suggest that it works. So for this purpose I am comfortable with the findings that cutting off the foreskin does reduce the chances of MEN getting infected. And this is where my problem is. MEN.

It seems to me, Madam, that almost all responses to prevent the further spread of the virus is aimed at men. Take condoms for example, here in Zambia and many parts of the world, one is likely to find the male condom than the female ones. And if one does find a female condom, it is neither affordable nor free. Even messages about sticking to one partner are, in our setting, aimed at men as it is assumed that they are the ones who are likely to have multiple partners. And yet the limited studies done on discordant couples show that there are more women who are positive in that situation than men.

The same goes with the message to abstain. Again, women are portrayed as innocent, passive bystanders and only victims of their partners. In short, for a woman to abstain from sex in Africa, her man must first do so. Another male-aimed intervention.

The only intervention "aimed" at women is the so-called PMTCT, which even if it prevents transmission to the child does not help the mother because she is already infected. And less than 40% access this intervention. A colossal failure. In addition to this very unfair situation, the UN endorses male circumcision as one of the ways to prevent infection. Men are queuing at Dr Manda's clinic in the UTH. Why, even men that are already infected are having their tail end cut off. To what preventive purpose would a circumcised HIV-positive man offer to a woman?

One HIV-positive circumcised man claimed that this intervention was as good as a condom with the extra benefit of "having it" live. And unlike all the other proven interventions, there is very little information in the community on just how circumcision prevents HIV infection in men and how that benefits women. There are no leaflets or flyers or posters in the bars and school like we have for other ways of preventing HIV.

What are your views on this - first as UN envoy and second as a woman? And may be, yes, as someone who has been very active in the field of fighting AIDS from the beginning?

Thank you, Benekele Lungolungo.