Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times - Sunday, 8 August, 2004
Chantelle Benjamin
Their view is that such a move would increase the stigma associated with the disease, and unjustly target vulnerable women -- the very sector the provision aims to protect. Even worse, some believe it may prevent people from having tests for HIV to avoid prosecution.
"We understand that Parliament is doing this to protect women but the reality is that women are more likely to be prosecuted," said People Opposing Woman Abuse spokes man Carrie Shelver.
The present healthcare system provides testing for pregnant women at antenatal clinics. "Unless a man is applying for something that requires a medical test, he is unlikely to know his status."
Shelver said women are often afraid to disclose their status to partners for fear of being thrown out of the home or assaulted. "And more often than not they cannot demand that their partner use a condom," she said.
Liesl Gerntholtz of the Aids Law Project said legislation exists to deal with this offence. "A person who knowingly infects another can be charged with assault or attempted murder," she said.
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