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Women in Islam: Sexual and Reproductive Health, and HIV/Aids
First showing: 15th International Aids Conference in Bangkok, July 2004
Training and information video produced with the African Forum of Faith Based Organisations in Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, for the charity International Family Health.
Through the eyes of 2 Muslim women’s groups this video explores both traditional and liberal interpretations of the sexual and reproductive health choices available to Muslim women.
The Tangana Women’s Group is based in Mombassa, Kenya’s 2nd biggest city, where much of the population is Muslim. It is estimated that 2 million Kenyans are HIV positive and 500 people in Kenya die of AIDS every day.
There are six hundred and fifty thousand Muslims living in South Africa. Positive Muslims is based in Cape Town, which has a large Muslim population, and raises awareness within the Muslim community about HIV and AIDS.
Examples of interviews in this video:
“Being a Muslim and being HIV positive on top of that, was extremely difficult because my people thought that if you are HIV positive then you must have sinned. Eventually when I did start to talk about it I didn’t get any support from anyone.” Person Living with HIV/AIDS
“For me my dreams are so big, sometimes my mind is running away, to do the things I like to do. Before I was taken sick I had these dreams and now I am more determined to have my dreams come true maybe one day before I die – life goes on, you can’t hold on, you must look forward now, there is a future.” Person Living with HIV/AIDS
“Women, stop being victims of patriarchy. Stop allowing men to make decisions for you and interpret your faith for you. Start realising and reading the Koran and see what power it gives us, how it enables us rather than disables us. We need to take back the power that men have over determining what expression we as women give to our faith and how we express ourselves as Muslims.” Progressive Islamic Scholar
"The video was a huge success and many people have asked for copies. Thanks for the wonderful work that you all did."
Rehana Kader, Positive Muslims, South Africa
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