“Daughters of Eve”: Portrayal of the female body in selected HIV/AIDS songs in Malawi

Abstract

This paper examines how the female body is portrayed in selected HIV/AIDS themed songs in Malawi. Generally, the paper reveals how, besides being portrayed negatively as a carrier and transmitter of the HI virus and other sexually transmitted diseases, the female body is implicitly blamed for the spread of HIV and related infections. The paper argues that the songs’ purported advocacy is heavily compromised because they are underwritten by negative perceptions of women and their bodies. Some of these songs also propagate messages that are scientifically wrong, which may mislead the general public. The paper draws on Julia Kristeva’s idea of the “abject” particularly the way it has been appropriated by a school of thought known as “abject criticism”. The paper also employs Josephine Donovan’s observation about the objectified images of women who are usually portrayed as men’s helpers or detractors.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; gender; sexuality; abject; diseased