WHAT: HIV PREVALENCE IS HIGH AMONG KENYAN MARRIED WOMEN
WHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
TIME: 9:30am-12: 30pm
WHERE: The Nairobi Hilton Hotel
The Minister for Medical Services, Prof Anyang Nyong’o will launch on Wednesday the 19th 2008 a 12-minute documentary which reveals that the HIV/AIDS prevalence is high among married Kenyan women.
The documentary filmed in Kenya, tells the stories of women from different backgrounds who were infected with HIV in their own homes, in their own beds. The film also features interviews with men on the streets of Nairobi, educators from women and men’s groups, a former member of Kenya’s parliament, and a pastor.
One out of ten married couples in Kenya has an HIV-positive partner. This is not unique to Kenya. In Rwanda and Zambia, an estimated 55-93 percent of new infections occur within marriage or in cohabitating relationships. Additionally, gender-based violence within marriage increases women’s vulnerability to HIV infection.
“Women must not be kept ‘silent,’ whether in marriage or in society as a whole; they must be given safe avenues to protect themselves and their families,” says Amy Coen, President/CEO of Population Action International (PAI). “Only when men and women have understanding and education can they protect themselves and those they love.”
Most people believe that if a woman makes it to marriage without contracting HIV, she is safe for the rest of her life. However, current research shows that marriage is not as protective as previously thought -– for either women or men. The Silent Partner: HIV in Marriage examines the risk of HIV within marriage and the particular challenges facing married women.
Population Action International (PAI) and Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA) are sponsoring the screening and reception and leading the panel discussion that follows the panelists will include:
New Film Demonstrates That Marriage Does Not Protect Women from HIV
Nairobi, Kenya A short film that demonstrates, in stark and powerful detail, the grave consequences of womens inequality on their health and the lives of their families premiered recently in Kenyas capital city in advance of World AIDS Day. Population Action International (PAI) and The Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA) sponsored the screening and reception, and led the lively panel discussion that followed. Speakers included representatives from Pathfinder International, Kenyas National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development (NCAPD), Men for Gender Equity Now (MEGEN), Kenya's National AIDS Coordination Council, the film's stars and its director. Read the full press release.
Contact persons:
To arrange an interview or event appearance in the United States, please contact:
Wendy Turnbull
(202) 557-3445
press@popact.org
To arrange an interview or event appearance in Kenya, please contact:
Centre For The Study of Adolescence (CSA)African Woman and Child features (AWC)
Judy Waguma- 0733863478
Nathan Golon is an independent filmmaker and photographer based in Washington, DC. His films explore international efforts to improve living conditions for the marginalized and disadvantaged -- topics encompassing education, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, the environment, and conflict resolution.
He has produced work for organizations including Population Action International, Mercy Corps, Family Health International, Population Council, the Associated Press, ESPN, and Global Vision International.
Wendy Turnbull -- Executive ProducerWendy Turnbull is Senior Policy and Research Analyst with Population Action International. She is the primary researcher/author of Access Denied: U.S. Restrictions on International Family Planning and served as project manager for the Global Gag Rule Impact Project. Wendy leads PAIs work documenting the impact of U.S. policies on family planning/reproductive health and HIV prevention efforts, including the production of short documentary films about the consequences of the gag rule and U.S.-funded abstinence-only programs in Africa.
Prior to joining PAI, Wendy was a senior policy analyst with The Guttmacher Institute and a federal lobbyist with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) during the Title X gag rule days. A native of the Washington, DC area, she received her BA in political science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is married with two school-aged daughters who enjoy participating in organized demonstrations for women's rights and peace.
Rosemarie Muganda-Onyando-- Director, Centre for the Study of Adolescence, Nairobi, KenyaRosemarie Muganda-Onyando is currently the Director Centre for the Study of Adolescence, Nairobi, Kenya. Ms. Muganda-Onyando is a Social Anthropologist who holds a Masters in Development Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Womens Studies. She is currently completing a Masters in Public Health where her focus is on health policy. Rosemarie has worked for almost two decades in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights with specific reference to adolescents and youth. In 2003 & 2004 she was instrumental in the development of the Adolescent Reproductive Health and Development Policy which is currently being implemented in Kenya. She believes that young people have the right to appropriate and reliable information as well as to comprehensive services to enable them make a safe and enjoyable transition to adulthood.
