'Kupu-Kupu AIDS' allows exploration of sensitive issues
'Kupu-Kupu AIDS' allows exploration of sensitive issues
By Dini S. Djalal
JAKARTA (JP): "You can't talk about AIDS without talking about sex," insisted Ministry of Health official Bagus Mantra at Kupu- Kupu AIDS, a seminar on AIDS held at Kedai Kancil, Summitmas Tower 1 in South Jakarta.
Mantra's statement was firm in a conservative environment. Yet, data on HIV and AIDS in March 1995, reported cases reach 288, with 218 HIV diagnoses and 70 AIDS patients throughout Indonesia. At this rate, firm words are needed to combat the onslaught of AIDS.
The need for discussion and understanding of AIDS is what inspired non-governmental organization MITRA Indonesia and Kedai Kancil to hold Kupu-Kupu AIDS every Thursday until May 18.
"Kupu-kupu (butterfly) flies from one flower to another, just like the AIDS virus. But Kupu-Kupu AIDS is a metaphor not only for the dissemination of the AIDS virus, but also of knowledge. We want to spread as much accurate information on AIDS as possible," said MITRA volunteer Danny Yatim.
When asked why Kupu-Kupu AIDS is being held at Kedai Kancil, a cafeteria, Yatim explained, "But it's public. People come here to eat, not to see a show, so we will be exposed to a bigger audience." The choice of speakers was also meant to represent the wider public.
"We asked movie stars and singers to attract the masses. But our biggest priority was choosing people who were concerned, and not necessarily experts," said Yatim.
The seminars have been divided into four themes. The first, held on April 27, focused on the role of the mass media, particularly on its responsibility to publish accurate information on AIDS.
Working with Yogyakarta's Research and Education Center LP3Y and the Lentera Foundation, Rosalia Sciortino of the Ford Foundation is establishing an AIDS Media Training Center to improve the quality of AIDS reporting.
"Stereotypical or inaccurate stories can increase discrimination against AIDS sufferers," Sciortino explained.
The media is also the most accessible channel through which AIDS education may be taught.
"We're not focusing on the media, but on how the media can increase public awareness," Sciortino elaborated.
But has public awareness improved since Pekan Peduli AIDS (AIDS Awareness Week), was held in December 1994? Danny Yatim answered, "Awareness is so difficult to measure. If you only look at the amount of phone calls MITRA Indonesia receive, they always escalate during news events, such as Greg Lougani's outing. But that doesn't mean we should stop trying."
Attempts at raising public awareness about AIDS, however, always run into conflict with mainstream notions of sexuality. Radio station KIS-FM attracted controversy when, during a talk- show, they discussed oral and penetrative sex. KIS-FM manager Erfin Rasad explained that they were not promoting free sex, but, "differentiating between safe sex and safer sex."
"Many youths do not receive sex information from their parents, so they seek it elsewhere. We believe that if you're going to do it, you should do it safely," Rasad continued.
Bagus Mantra agrees.
"Teenagers are very dynamic. They require lots of education on everything, including sex. If they can't get it formally, they will find it through other channels, such as foreign films and television shows," said Mantra.
Rosalia Sciortino concedes that the cultural divide between open-minded teenagers and their more conservative parents is problematic. She adds that the dilemma is enhanced by occasional government reluctance to publicly endorse sexuality and condoms.
"Studies on sexuality are sometimes not acknowledged by government officials. Culturally it is not yet the time, but there can still be a dialog," said Sciortino.
The effect of the AIDS epidemic on young people was the focus of the second seminar, held on May 4. Teenage film star Deasy Ratnasari was invited to speak at the second session, and drew much attention. She spoke of the individuality of sexual experiences, and the bad reputations which stars endure. Specifically, she explained that working in the entertainment world does not necessarily imply a morally looser lifestyle.
Loose morals are often associated with AIDS, even though it only takes one sexual encounter to contact the disease. Yet, for all the controversy attached to the AIDS cause, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is one of MITRA Indonesia's biggest donors. Its representatives, however, maintain that they do not condone the promotion of condoms.
"We promote monogamy and abstinence to combat AIDS, which are true to Catholic teaching," said CRS representative Yenni Suryani.
Meanwhile, the entire Kedai Kancil was plastered with posters with illustrations of condoms.
The theme of the next seminar, held this Thursday, is AIDS and Contemporary Lifestyle, and will have at its speakers, among others, singer Paquita Widjaya and anthropologist Jeffry Anwar. The final seminar, to be held on Thursday May 18, is entitled AIDS in the year 2000, and will feature model Cornelia Agatha and photographer Yudhi Soerjoatmojo.