By Linda-Gail Bekker, Deputy Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Women* have many gender-unique experiences. Some of these are biologically determined: falling pregnant, giving birth; others are cultural: the relief of taking off a bra and the pain of high heeled shoes. Then there are situations that arise from gender inequality and patriarchal norms.…
By Linda-Gail Bekker & Brian Kanyemba Good health is fundamental for a good life. It is the trampoline spring that determines how high we bounce and what stars we reach. When a disease spins out of control and threatens the ability of large segments of a population to obtain and maintain good health, it becomes…
By Linda-Gail Bekker, Anele Ngqokwe, Sibabale Silo, Akho Mpame, & Khanyiselo Silo 2017 has arrived, and I don’t know if you can feel it but we think it’s already looking up to be a much brighter year than the last. In the spirit of the New Year it’s always good to evaluate where we are at…
Valentines Day, as legend has it, originated when St Valentine took it upon himself to secretly help couples tie the knot when marriage was illegal under Roman law. The Romans may have killed St Valentine when they found out, but his dedication to upholding the right to love and be loved in spite of his…
8 March is International Womens Day and in 2017 the chosen theme is: Be Bold for Change. Women’s Day can be viewed as a day to celebrate all things that women have contributed and achieved. However, historically Women’s Day is also a day put aside to stand up and challenge social and political norms that…
On 4th March 2017, the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation organised a poetry writing workshop around the theme ‘The Power of One.’ The workshop took place at the MCED HIV/AIDS RCL Youth Conference where school children from schools in the area attended. The students discussed issues around HIV, sexual health, teen pregnancy and gender-based violence. HIV…
This World TB Day 2017 theme is: Unite to End TB; Leave no one behind. Many people infected with TB find themselves discriminated against because of their illness. Others are scared to seek treatment because they fear intolerance, whether that be because of their race, gender, religion or their status as migrants and refugees. We…
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DHTF) has been researching HIV and providing outreach around Cape Town for over a decade. This includes research on the elusive HIV vaccine. This World Immunization Week 2017, we want to share some of the history of immunization, what research is ongoing right now and where vaccines will be in…
To commemorate World Immunisation Week, we are sharing some of our research in HIV immunity trials. The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) is testing an infusion of HIV antibodies that are administered intravenously for HIV-negative people. The drip has a similar function to a vaccine; it introduces HIV-fighting antibodies to the patient’s immune system. If…
Vaccines protect us from serious illnesses like mumps, polio and rubella. These diseases, which used to be harmful, are today are no longer a threat in situations where child vaccinations are routine. However, an HIV vaccine remains elusive. The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) is conducting HIV vaccine trials in the hope that one day…