Focus on human trafficking

I am not a Catholic, but I disagree with The Herald’s Wednesday editorial on Pope Benedict and HIV, attempting to marginalize and discredit him from speaking on a topic that is actually well within his “specialty.” The Herald has failed to do its job in researching the issues and concludes regarding HIV, “The problem in Africa and other countries is the lack of availability and education, and getting people to use them (condoms).”

Africa is unique among continents in that it has four times the prevalence of trafficked prostitutes compared to the rest of the world. Studies have shown that there is a high degree of correlation between the number of prostitutes per female population and the HIV prevalence in the general population. See the study on transactional sex as the driving force of HIV in Ghana (AIDS 2004; 18(6):917-925). From 60 to 80 percent of women trafficked into brothels in Africa are HIV positive.

The HIV problem is not going to be solved by focusing on condom availability and education. The human trafficking of sex slaves in Africa is the focal point of the problem. This is the problem The Herald should tell us more about.

In Africa, faith-based organizations, including the Catholic Church, are paying for and providing a huge portion of HIV/AIDS care. Pope Benedict has aggressively worked against human trafficking.

I think Pope Benedict is putting his money where his mouth is. He deserves a more balanced evaluation.

Idar Eric Rommen

Snohomish