The Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians says the alarming rise in HIV infections and adolescent pregnancies can be traced back to a cultural barrier; parents shying away from openly talking about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, or pregnancy with their children. This silence, rooted in cultural sensitivities, leaves young people vulnerable and uninformed. Association president Swebby Macha recalled an incident at Ndola Central Hospital when he witnessed a tense moment between a father and his son, both living with HIV/AIDS. The father scolded his son, saying someone so young shouldn’t be HIV positive. The son snapped back, saying his father was too old to be living with the disease. Later, the son confided in Dr Macha, sharing that if his...