• Editorials

Water Festival: Go out Protected!

• By Cambodianess
• November 26, 2023 10:00 AM

Distribution of preservatives and lubricants, screening tests, action to raise awareness: Cambodia’s HIV/AIDS Committee is going all out with prevention measures during the Water Festival.

Congratulations for this initiative! The Water Festival will bring together during those two days thousands of people—oarsmen and visitors—in an atmosphere of joy conducive to flirting and carnal encounters.      

Some people could view the distribution of preservatives during this event as an incitement to debauchery. One should view this as proof of lucidity on the part of the country’s health authorities. Like it or not, moments of jubilation are bound to involve one-day encounters among partners who did not know each other the day before, and the risks of HIV and other venereal diseases transmission are high if taking place without protection. It is now well proven that preservatives are the most effective protection against sexually transmitted diseases.        

We have to remember that this policy of large-scale promotion of preservatives enabled Cambodia to contain the terrible AIDS explosion in the 1990s following the first case that was detected in 1991, in the aftermath of UNTAC and its 20,000 Blue Berets and international workers, which had led to a boom in prostitution.  

However, the epidemic is not over. Today, some 90,000 people live with HIV/AIDS according to official data, and it would appear that the epidemic is spreading among young men.

Prevention, awareness and education measures must therefore continue.    

Beyond a prevention measure, the distribution of preservatives during this Water Festival constitutes a reminder to be vigilant regarding HIV/AIDS.   

And so, Happy Water Festival to all, but use protection!