Abstinence only programmes are funded primarily by the American government, and must be delivered to the general public in countries with a generalised HIV epidemic in order to continue receiving American (PEPFAR) funding.

Many say that abstinence only programmes do not work and in fact increase the chances of contracting HIV because safe sex is not taught. Others feel that if one does take home the message of the programme, if is the best preventative because it leaves no room for sexual transmission.

We want your views on whether you think stress on abstinence policies is effective and appropriate in the fight against aids or whether ‘these abstinence-only programs leave Uganda’s children at risk of HIV…and abstinence messages should complement other HIV-prevention strategies, not undermine them[i],’ as Jonathan Cohen, researcher with Human Rights Watch’s HIV/AIDS Program says.

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