DURBAN: Actress Charlize Theron and Nelson Mandela’s widow Graça Machel said yesterday that major changes were needed in the way women were treated.
Speaking at a panel discussion at the 2016 International Aids Conference in Durban on the rights of young girls and women, as well as the difficulties they face, Machel said there needed to be a major shift in cultural practices. In some cultures, negotiations between families would take place to right the wrong of rape, and even a single cow would, in some instances, suffice as payment to address the crime.
“We need to do more. It’s very difficult,” Machel said.
Theron pointed out that even in the present era, many young women still had no access to information they need about sexuality.
She said even many older women did not have sufficient knowledge or access to information to make informed choices.
“Most of us don’t know how to protect ourselves,” said Theron.
The Academy Award-winning actress said that in her travels, she had come across a woman who did not know what rape was.
“I had no sex education. I was lucky to have one parent who informed me. I knew enough to protect myself,” she said.
One of the questions raised with the panel was why women or young girls were asked by men if they were virgins.
Theron said such questions by men were unacceptable, and that men did not face the same type of question.
“It’s such a double standard with our world.”
Machel and Theron said it was absolutely essential for people to take responsibility for testing and knowing their HIV status. Machel said even older people needed to get tested and know their status.