African scholar to speak on HIV-AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

Felix Kaputu, a professor of literature, religious literature, mythology and gender issues at the University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently a resident research scholar at the Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, Harvard University, and is conducting research on the interrelationship of religion, tradition and gender issues in HIV-AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Right: Felix Kaputu

Kaputu will visit York today to deliver a lecture that will address the roles of religions, traditions and gender issues in sub-Saharan Africa as they relate to the current HIV-AIDS pandemic. The lecture will take place today, from 12:30 to 2pm, in 305 York Lanes. Kaputu’s lecture is presented by the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University.

Imprisoned without charge as a political prisoner for three months in 2005, Kaputu and other detainees were freed after Amnesty International and other human rights organizations organized an international campaign drawing attention to their situation.

For more information, visit the Centre for Refugee Studies Web site, or contact Michele Millard at ext. 30391, or e-mail mmillard@yorku.ca.