Changes

<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = The plan is being launched as “Soka Uncobe” (“Circumcise and Conquer” in siSwati). | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> and it is a campaign to implement the "Accelerated Saturation Drive," which is the Swazi government's plan to circumcise 80% of the Swazi male population aged 18-49,<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = The emphasis is on reaching 80 percent coverage with the Soka Uncobe campaign... | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> with HIV prevention as the pretext.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = But the biggest motivator for male circumcision services is the protection from HIV that circumcision affords. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

Swaziland is a country where the practice of having multiple concurrent sexual partners is prevalent,<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = In a country with the practice of having multiple concurrent sexual partners and the highest HIV prevalence in the world... | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> and the country with the highest HIV prevalence in the world.Swaziland has a very low prevalence of male circumcision,<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work = Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = In a country with the practice of having multiple concurrent sexual partners and the highest HIV prevalence in the world...}}</ref> Swaziland has a very low prevalence of male circumcision,<ref> {{cite news | first = Meredith | last = Mazzotta | title = Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date = 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = Since Swaziland is a very small country with a very high prevalence of HIV and a very low prevalence of MC, it provides a very good case study on the relationship between MC and HIV infections prevented. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> and this is has been indicated as one of the "driving factors" behind the high prevalence of HIV,<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = Various studies have identified main drivers of the epidemic: multiple concurrent sexual partners, low levels of male circumcision, inconsistent use of condoms and long periods of premarital sexual activity. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> although other studies have shown that HIV transmission was more prevalent in the circumcised population than it was in the intact population.<ref> {{cite journal REFnews | title last= Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey 2006-07 | journal first= Mbabane, Swaziland: Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc. | date = 2008-| id coauthors= | url = http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR202/FR202.pdf | accessdate title= 2011Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey 2006-05-06 07 | date=2008 | publisher=Mbabane, Swaziland: Central Statistical Office and Macro International Inc. | quote = As Table 14.10 shows, the relationship between HIV prevalence and circumcision status is not in the expected direction. Circumcised men have a slightly higher HIV infection rate than men who are not circumcised (22 percent compared with 20 percent). | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

The goal of Soka Uncobe is to "saturate the male population with circumcision."<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = This is different because it’s a population-level activity meant to saturate the male population. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> The campaign seeks to make its people view male circumcision as one of several critical HIV prevention choices that men and their partners can make to live healthier lives and save their country.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = ...the goal... is to have people view male circumcision as one of several critical HIV prevention choices that men and their partners can make to live healthier lives and save their country. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> The Swaziland Soka Uncobe campaign focuses on encouraging women to encourage their partners to get circumcised, and to support them through their 6-week abstinence period after the procedure.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = ...women will play an active and important role in supporting their partners to get circumcised, especially in terms of observing the six-week abstinence period following the procedure. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> It also engages companies to encourage and support their male employees to get circumcised.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = In late March, sugar cane companies will give their employees a few days of leave to get circumcised and have some recovery time before beginning the annual harvest. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

Soka Uncobe is acting under scientific models developed by the U.S. government, which predict that a scale up of circumcision in Swaziland "will prevent approximately 45 percent of new infections between now and 2025." According to the models, By 2025, the number of new infections each year is projected to be "reduced by more than 80 percent compared with what would have happened had no intervention occurred.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = Scientific models developed by the U.S. government predict that this scale up in Swaziland will prevent approximately 45 percent of new infections between now and 2025. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

The plan to circumcise 80% of Swaziland's male population was approved in March or April of 2010 with the support of the US Government.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = In March or April of 2010, the Swazi Cabinet approved the current plan, which the U.S. government agreed to support. | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref> Since then, U.S. government personnel have worked to align PEPFAR resources in support of the national plan. The Government of Swaziland asked PEPFAR to support the national male circumcision plan as one of the "five pillars" of the Swaziland - United States PEPFAR Partnership Framework on HIV/AIDS.<ref> {{cite news | first = MeredithREFnews | last = Mazzotta | title first= Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this yearMeredith | date coauthors= 2011-03-04 | url = http://sciencespeaksblog.org/2011/03/04/swaziland-embarks-on-ambitious-plan-to-circumcise-80-percent-of-men-18-to-49-this-year/ | work title=Swaziland embarks on ambitious plan to circumcise 80 percent of men 18 to 49 this year | date=2011-03-04 | publisher= Science Speaks: HIV & TB News | accessdate = 2011-05-06 | quote = The Government of Swaziland asked PEPFAR to support the national MC plan as one of the five ‘pillars’ of our “Swaziland – United States PEPFAR Partnership Framework on HIV/AIDS.” | accessdate=2011-05-06}}</ref>

In March 22, 2011, the U.S. government officially handed over a wide range of materials in support of the USDF’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, which included 7 prefabricated medical facilities supporting the Soka Uncobe male circumcision campaign. In all, the materials handed over at the ceremony and those that will be arriving in the future are valued at over E 12.5 million. Representing the United States Government were Charge d’Affaires Craig Cloud, joined by Dr. Anne Thomas of the U.S. Department of the Defense, and in a speech given by Cloud, it was noted that "if the Soka Uncobe campaign is successful in circumcising 152,000 men during 2011, it could prevent 88,000 people from getting infected with HIV and save the government and the people of Swaziland E 4.5 billion in medical treatment costs."<ref> {{cite news REFnews | last=Press Release | first= | coauthors= | url=http://swaziland.usembassy.gov/pr32212.html | title = U.S. Government Hands Over E 12.5 Million in Materials and Equipment to USDF to Fight HIV/AIDS | date = 2011-03-22 | publisher = Embassy of the United States, Mbabane, Swaziland | url quote= http://swaziland.usembassy.gov/pr32212.html | work = Press Release 2011-03-22 | accessdate = 2011-05-13}}</ref>

Soka Uncobe has already caused concern, as the message and imagery being used to promote it is sending the wrong message.<ref> {{cite news | first = Nelsiwe REFnews | last = Ndlangamandla | title first= 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned Nelsiwe | date coauthors= 2011-05-04 | url = http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=24311 | work title= The Swazi Observer 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned | accessdate date= 2011-05-13 04 | publisher=The Swazi Observer | quote = THE public has received the Male Circumcision campaign "Soka Uncobe" with mixed feelings as some people have come out to say the message was not clear. | accessdate=2011-05-13}}</ref> Advertisements promoting the campaign display four women, sending confusing messages, one being that once one was circumcised, they would be able to "conquer" more women. Regarding the logo and the slogan "Soka Uncobe" itself, some have gotten the message that “one has conquered” and would not get HIV and AIDS. The greatest concern is that the message is promoting multiple concurrent partnerships.<ref> {{cite news | first = Nelsiwe REFnews | last = Ndlangamandla | title first= 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned Nelsiwe | date coauthors= 2011-05-04 | url = http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=24311 | work title= The Swazi Observer 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned | accessdate date= 2011-05-13 04 | publisher=The Swazi Observer | quote = "If »If it had been the picture of a family including the wife supporting her man, who goes to circumcise then that would be better, but in this case you see four beautiful women and it says they are going to support you, it is really confusing. Are they now promoting multiple partners?" « said one of the people who raised a concern. | accessdate=2011-05-13}}</ref>

Solomon Mndzebele, a caregiver under Red Cross, made a personal plea to the ministry of health to remove the advertizements because they were making making his job to promote condom use difficult.<ref> {{cite news | first = Nelsiwe REFnews | last = Ndlangamandla | title first= 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned Nelsiwe | date coauthors= 2011-05-04 | url = http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=24311 | work title= The Swazi Observer 'Soka uncobe' campaign questioned | accessdate date= 2011-05-13 04 | publisher=The Swazi Observer | quote = Solomon Mndzebele, who is a caregiver under Red Cross, made a personal plea to the ministry of health to remove the message from the kombis stating that it was making his work difficult. | accessdate=2011-05-13}}</ref> According to Mndzebele, "When you tell people about condoms they would just tell you that they would circumcise and by then they would have conquered HIV AIDS."