Why do men fail to buy condoms?

July 17, 2007

New Delhi: Men cannot be trusted in their sexual behavior and are

fuelling the country's HIV epidemic, Union Women and Child

Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury says.

The Minister said women should protect themselves from HIV/AIDS by

keeping condoms as their straying husbands may bring the virus home

after visiting other women.

" You cannot trust men or your husbands, with apologies to the men

present here, " she told the inaugural meeting of the National Women

Forum of Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) in New

Delhi on Monday.

" If you believe that men will be careful, then you can forget about

protecting yourself. "

India has around 2.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS -- the

world's third highest caseload after South Africa and Nigeria -- with

about 40 percent of those infected being women.

Activists and officials say many women have been infected after their

husbands visited prostitutes. Most wives have little power to

negotiate safe sex with their husbands in a largely patriarchal and

conservative society, they add.

Renuka said this needed to change.

" We are so embarrassed to ask about condoms. Women need to get

condoms to protect themselves, let the men be suspicious, " she said.

" Men will not buy a condom when they come staggering home while

drunk, " she added, evoking laughter and giggles.

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