International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A Zimbabwean senator has sparked outrage by stating the country's HIV prevention policy should be based upon making woman less attractive.

Morgan Femai of the Movement for Democratic Change, which is led by the country's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, told an HIV awareness workshop for MPs that attractive women fuelled the spread of the infection.

He stated that women should shave their heads and take baths less regularly.

According to the latest figures from Unicef, more than 14 per cent of the adult population in Zimbabwe is infected with HIV.

Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association Communications Officer Merit Runema said the comments were "a reflection that most people, including legislators, lacked knowledge on HIV and AIDS issues in the country".

While Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trusts told the Huffington Post the suggestions were "potentially really damaging" and shift the focus away from proven methods of preventing HIV infection.

Posted by Alexandra George