2007年VOA标准英语-Sudan Begins to Confront AIDS

By Noel King
Khartoum
18 April 2007

Sudan's traditional society paired with a strict Islamic government means that HIV and AIDS are not often discussed in the public arena¹. Now, in an effort to stem the spread of the disease, the government is partnering with the United Nations to teach journalists how to accurately² and honestly discuss the disease in the media. Noel King in Khartoum has more.

 

Recent health surveys have shocked Sudan. United Nations data indicate more than 2.3 percent of the country's adult population is infected with HIV/AIDS.

The UNAIDS office says the country has the highest infection rate in North Africa or the Middle East. But confronting the disease has been a problem.

Aside from the occasional informational cartoon, AIDS and HIV, the virus that causes it, are rarely mentioned in Sudanese newspapers.

 

Many in Sudan's traditional society are uncomfortable talking about one of the primary ways the disease spreads - through sexual contact.

 

Sudan's Islamic code of law forbids sex outside marriage, and those who are infected with HIV say they are stigmatized³ and may be forced to leave their families or give up their jobs.

 

But as the infection numbers continue to rise, Sudan has been forced to confront the issue.

 

This week, Sudan's Ministries⁴ of Health and Information partnered with the United Nations Development Program to teach Sudanese journalists how to discuss the disease in the media.

 

Minister of Health Tabitha Boutros says the key to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS is informing Sudanese about transmission methods.

 

"If you get the message across to the people then it's very easy to prevent HIV/AIDS," said Boutos. "The message today is that working in collaboration⁵ is so important in getting the message across to the people on how they can deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS."

 

Sudanese journalists attending the event say they understand the importance of educating people on the transmission routes.

 

But they add there is another aspect of media involvement.

 

Gilan Obeid Sherrif works for Sudan Now Magazine, which is affiliated⁶ with the state-run news agency. She says the media should stress compassion⁷ for those living with the disease.

 

"Here in Sudan we have a problem," she said. "We are here to support the workers of this field of HIV/AIDS and how we can raise the awareness⁸ of people who are infected with this disease?"

 

There are still complex issues to be addressed. Sudanese officials worry that offering information on the transmission of the disease may promote extra-marital sex.

 

And debates rage in Sudan about whether it is appropriate to advocate the use of condoms.

 

Still, this week's event makes clear Sudan is beginning to face the threat of HIV/AIDS, as well as the question of respect for those who are infected.

1 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

2 accurately   

adv.准确地，精确地

参考例句：

• It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
• Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。

3 stigmatized   

v.使受耻辱，指责，污辱( stigmatize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was stigmatized as an ex-convict. 他遭人污辱，说他给判过刑。 来自辞典例句
• Such a view has been stigmatized as mechanical jurisprudence. 蔑称这种观点为机械法学。 来自辞典例句

4 ministries   

（政府的）部( ministry的名词复数 )； 神职； 牧师职位； 神职任期

参考例句：

• Local authorities must refer everything to the central ministries. 地方管理机构应请示中央主管部门。
• The number of Ministries has been pared down by a third. 部委的数量已经减少了1/3。

5 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

6 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

7 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

8 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。