Youth Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) as a tool to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa: Implications for Human Rights and Social Work Practice

Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) as a feasible tool to increase HIV/AIDS response needs to be validated and advocated to especially its adherents who, from time immemorial, hold to the fact that its goal has been to achieve some socio-cultural goal posts and not HIV/AIDS response. The study investigated the perceptions of selected members of the Alice Town community and its environs on the role and position of traditional male circumcision becoming an HIV/AIDS prevention tool. The study adopted a qualitative paradigm and a case study design. With slightly differentiated interview guides, the researcher conducted seven in-depth interviews covering 8 participants and four focus group discussions involving 25 participants affiliated with Alice Hospice, Lavela Old Age Centre, and the University of Fort Hare. Findings established that TMC is grounded in achieving cultural goalposts, initiating a state of moral and ethical deficit, compromised HIV/AIDS prevention, clinical hazards heightened opportunities for HIV/AIDS infections, and commercialisation of male circumcision compromised HIV/AIDS prevention agenda. Recommendations made were that the government should ensure that cultural adherents understand the process of the biomedical process and its link with HIV/AIDS response. This study has emphasised the role of social workers in redressing the rights deficits experienced by the initiates and communities in general. Key Words: Traditional Male Circumcision, Commercialization of Traditional Male Circumcision, Medical Male Circumcision, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights Deficits.