Subject: AIDS video available
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 96 22:45:00 PST
"Breaking the Silence"
The full dimensions and the many faces of the AIDS epidemic sweeping
sub-Sahara Africa is shown in the movie "Breaking the Silence - Stories from
AIDS Activists In Southern Africa." But the movie also tells of the
difficult but attainable gender equality that can help curtail the epidemic.
Sub-Sahara Africa has 10 percent of the world's population, but 2/3 of
the world's HIV infected population, notes Renee Sabatier, a coordinator for
Canada Public Health Association's Southern Africa AIDS Training Programme
(SAT). The most vulnerable are the people with the least control of their
life; African women, says Sabatier. Many women are infected by unfaithful
husbands. Taboos which prohibit women from speaking to their husbands about
condom use, being monogamous, and sexuality in general have become "life
threatening."
The fight against AIDS must be a fight for the attainment of the most
basic human rights for women, Sabatier says. The empowerment of women is
the only thing that will control this disease, says Priscilla Misihairabwi,
an AIDS activist in Harare, Zimbabwe. "I've given up on our generation,"
says Misihairabwi. "But I have a lot of hope for young people," she says.
Young women must learn that they control their bodies and their lives, says
Anna Banda, a young AIDS activist. "I am not submissive, now. I am very
assertive... You have to stick to your principles, and know what you really
want," says Banda.
Even though Siphiwe Dube is HIV positive, with the help of the SAT
program, she says she still believes, "God still loves me." Africans have
the horrible distinction of being the pioneers in the struggle against AIDS,
says Sabatier. Although 12 million of the about 20 million people infected
with HIV live in sub-Sahara Africa, the region gets only three percent of
the resources allocated to fight the disease. The intent of the Canadian
SAT program is to change this, said Sabatier. The intent of the program is
to coordinate international and national efforts and fight AIDS in the most
efficient and effective way possible.
Available in English, VHS NTSC and PAL (US$79) - 56 minutes
Produced by Deborah d'Entremont and Sylvia Spring, Making WAVES Productions
in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Available from:
DSR, Inc
9111 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD 21046, USA
Tel: 301-490-3500
Fax: 301-490-4146
E-mail: dsr@us.net
http://www.catalog.com/dsr/si-fly.htm
In-Reply-To: 199612051600.LAA07484@dag.XC.Org