the Star, 20 August 2014

OUTDATED cxultural practices are to blame for the spread of HIV-Aids among the Luo community, an NGO has said.

Mumbo Cultural and Development Forum secretary Aguko Mayora said the community should discard some outdated cultural practices, which contribute to the spread of the disease.

"Outdated cultural practices should be discarded if we are to contain the spread. Widow inheritance should be discouraged and men should go for voluntary circumcision," he said.

Mayora decried the high HIV-Aids prevalence in Homa Bay county . He said the cultural beliefs in the community have affected campaigns against the spread of HIV-Aids.

"There is an urgent need for Luo elders, professionals, church leaders and others to team up and educate the community on the dangers of practicing outdated traditions, which promote the spread of HIV-Aids," Mayora said.

He said the community needs to use the positive aspects of its rich culture to fight HIV-Aids.

"This needs the goodwill from everyone including the government to ensure we leave nothing to chance," Mayora told the Star in Homa Bay yesterday.

He said the organisation will soon launch a campaign against outdated Luo cultural practices.

"We will propagate the adoption of safe Luo cultural and traditional practices to protect our people from the disease," Mayora said.
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BY ANGWENYI GICHANA

Source: the Star