Some of the participants’ comments on HIV gleaned from the baseline surveys conducted by Theatre for a Change, Malawi

I would rather die not knowing than knowing I have a shameful disease.

It’s none of my business that you are HIV positive. You deserved it for being promiscuous.

Sex is not an issue to be discussed anyhow.

It is a woman’s duty to satisfy a man sexually. One shouldn’t be denied any sexual favours, especially a man.

Women do not have the right to say no to sex with their husbands. It’s against our cultural values.

I think I would commit suicide if I found out I was positive.

(Theatre for a Change National Teacher Training HIV Baseline Survey Malawi 2009)