"One is that if women's sexuality in Africa wasn't under assault, if women were able to say no, if women weren't subject to predatory attacks by men, or predatory behaviour generally, then you would have a disease in Africa called AIDS. But you wouldn't have a pandemic"
- Stephen Lewis
About this Quote
This quote by Stephen Lewis talks to the power of females's autonomy and agency in the context of HIV/AIDS in Africa. He is suggesting that if ladies had the freedom to make choices about their own sexuality, and were not subject to predatory behaviour from guys, then HIV/AIDS would not be a pandemic in Africa. This highlights the value of gender equality and the need to protect females's rights in order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. It also speaks to the requirement for education and awareness around HIV/AIDS, as well as the need for better access to healthcare and assistance services for those dealing with HIV/AIDS. Eventually, this quote acts as a suggestion of the importance of protecting women's rights and autonomy in order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.