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HIV/AIDS transcript
Today 40 million people are living with HIV – 95% of them in developing countries.
In 2005, leaders of the G8 countries agreed to secure access to treatment and also ensure people get information on how to prevent HIV and get access to condoms.
Condoms are a huge success story in Zimbabwe. 900,000 female condoms were sold in 2005 alone, the highest sales per capita in the world.
But you might be surprised to know that more than 50% of these were distributed through a network of 500 hair salons and 1000 hair dressers.
Maria Tavambirwa is a young hairdresser playing an active role in preventing HIV and AIDS transmission.
She does this by promoting the use of the ‘care’ female condom among young women in her salon in Chitungwiza, a town just outside Harare.
My name is Maria Tavambirwa
Sister, let me cut your hair
This is my salon, relax!
Now sit your body over there.
Eh? You don’t want hot curls?
No cornrows, locs, or braids?
Explain to me this what-what
- and why you seem afraid
My name is Maria Tavambirwa
I work miracles with hair!
So what you ask is crazy
I won’t cut it back to there!
Aha! You think he’ll leave you be
Because your hair is like a man’s?
Girl, let me tell you something, see
Your fate is in your hands
Maria knows what’s on your mind
He sleeps with other girls at night
One day, you think, you’re going to find
HIV is here. You’re right.
See those pink boxes by the wall?
They are condoms for the female
I’ll show you how to put one in
And I’ll tell you all the details
Buy six for the price of a small yam
Then persuade him you should use one
He’ll be happy as a clam
When you promise him the stars and sun!
Now sister, let me do my thing
We’ll forget what you first said
I promise that you’ll want to sing
When I’ve finished with your pretty head
You know Maria Tavambirwa
I am famous in Harare
Women leave me with their heads held high
Hair is only half the story!
If you’re interested in hearing more about Maria and people like her or about
what else the UK government is doing to support the pledges made by the G8,
visit www.dfid.gov.uk/g8