(Xhosa with English subtitles)
As a girl, Thuliswa narrowly escaped abuse. When she began developing into a young woman, her mother responded by trying to restrict her independence. Thuliswa soon left Eastern Cape to live life on her own terms in Johannesburg. Sickness brought her home to her parents. She tested for HIV and found that she was positive. Now healthy and on ARVs, Thuliswa urges men to protect themselves and their partners by wearing condoms.
Key points to consider in viewing Thuliswa’s story
Poverty often requires girls to do work that makes them vulnerable to abuse, in a world where gender-based violence is widespread. Parents’ attitudes about gender are sometimes intended to protect their children, and yet they can feel restrictive. Thuliswa’s early experiences led her to flee her home, which put her at risk of HIV. Think about the importance of men taking responsibility: for their own violence, and for the health of themselves and their partners.