By: Hammad Ahmad
December 1st marks World AIDS Day, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, preventive measures, and the importance of tackling this devastating disease. According to UNAIDS, Pakistan is home to an estimated 183,000 people living with HIV. However, today, as the world observes this day, Balochistan alone has reported 462 new HIV cases. Without immediate intervention, some experts warn that the situation could evolve into a full-scale epidemic.
The majority of AIDS victims in Pakistan are individuals who inject drugs, sex workers (both male, female, and transgender), and men who have sex with men. A critical term often overlooked in the conversation is unprotected. In a country where social norms are deeply intertwined with cultural and religious values, the subject of HIV transmission—primarily through unprotected sex—remains a taboo.
The root of the issue lies not just in unprotected sex, but also in societal attitudes that prevent open discussions about it. Pakistan prides itself on being a “highly religious” society where issues like HIV/AIDS are seen as foreign or irrelevant. The reality, however, is far more complicated. The transmission of HIV occurs not only through sexual contact but also through unsafe injections, blood transfusions, and, recently, the use of unsafe dialysis machines, as seen in the outbreak at Nishtar Hospital in Multan. Despite this, the focus remains largely on people who inject drugs (PWID), while cases involving sexual transmission are often ignored.
Sexual activity itself is considered sacred in Pakistan, not because of its intrinsic value, but because it is tightly controlled by societal norms. Just as religious texts were once regarded as sacred only by the clergy, sex has become sacred because it is interpreted and regulated by a specific segment of society—namely the patriarchal structure that governs public and private life. As a result, discussions about sex, particularly unprotected sex, are often suppressed or silenced.
Some may argue that sexual freedom has led to the rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. However, the true cause of the epidemic lies in neglect—particularly the failure to address safe sexual practices and provide proper education. A comprehensive approach to sex education in schools could help mitigate the spread of HIV, yet this is often thwarted by societal attitudes that control sexuality.
The growing number of AIDS patients in Pakistan underscores a simple truth: Sexuality cannot be suppressed forever. The genie is out of the bottle. To combat this crisis, sex education is not only crucial—it is urgently needed.
In Pakistan, teenagers often reach puberty without receiving proper sex education, whether from parents, teachers, or educational institutions. Cultural taboos around discussing sex lead many to rely on peers or, increasingly, on pornography for information. Unfortunately, neither peers nor pornographic content typically offer guidance on safe sex or the risks of HIV transmission. Without accurate education, the cycle of misinformation continues, putting more young people at risk.
While the government, in partnership with the United Nations, has expanded HIV treatment centers from 50 to 93 and is working to establish more, it is equally important to focus on ground-level education and awareness regarding unprotected sex. Only through comprehensive sex education can the spread of HIV be effectively curtailed. Until then, Pakistan will continue to struggle with an escalating health crisis that could have been prevented with timely intervention and a shift in societal attitudes.
