Introduction
‘The silent partner: HIV in marriage’ is a documentary filmed and produced in Kenya by Population Action International (PAI). It takes twelve minutes. To educate people on the realities of married women, the film was developed early in 2008 to expose the challenges of preventing HIV among them. It includes a broader approach to fighting HIV, like breaking social norms that tell people at risk. In a region whose fight against HIV is slowed by a lack of awareness, the film shows how traditional ways of fighting the pandemic fail to serve the needs of married women.
Purpose of the film
This documentary aims at giving other approaches to be considered in fighting HIV (Golon (2009, para.4). It advocates for the free flow of information, general discussions, and political and monetary support in the fight. Issues of reproductive health and human rights a part form HIV emerge as strengths of a cohesive society.
More robust policies, better preventive measures, and abandonment of harmful social customs can help achieve a better society. The film shows that educating men and women on the impact of reproductive health, improving counseling, and ensuring protection for all community members through a better legal structure is essential.
Services for HIV need to be integrated with reproductive health services to reach more married couples. We need to develop programs that encourage people to safe sex practices. Political structures need to be rectified to accommodate these policies that support the protection of women from inheritance problems even when they are infected. Domestic violence and other vices like rape and lack of schooling among girls need to be entirely outlawed.
Events in the film
The film begins by showing a group of women dancing while singing a local encouragement song. Next, the narrator introduces the topic in a brief background. Then, a local church leader, Pastor Mugambi, is brought on to issue his opinion on how gender discrimination frustrates the efforts in fighting HIV. Finally, a comparison is given between Zambia and Rwanda, where most HIV infections occur among cohabiting couples.
Marita Tabu Barrasso is a widowed HIV-positive woman shown doing some chores in her house. She has been previously involved in counseling others against HIV and can even display a certificate she received. The cause of the infection was not her fault, but people began to shun her as an outcast. Her family disintegrated immediately after her husband died, and now she has to struggle to feed her family.
We are shown everyday life on a street in Nairobi, but many people do not know their status. Women perform their chores, but they usually have no time to check their position because they are home caregivers. Men generally reject the proposal to know their condition. Women have been fighting for their rights, but the political system filled with male dominion only passed the sexual offenses Act in 2006. That was after a clause illegalizing rape in marriage was expunged. However, the male still doesn’t want women to have a chance. Even at a soccer match, spectators say women must always obey what a man wants, and no woman can force her husband to use condoms.
As the documentary progresses, the strength of men is determined by the number of women you lay, one actuality says. Judy Atieno is a member of Women Fighting Aids in Kenya. She is HIV positive and has two young children. She represents many women in this region whose lives are shattered when husbands die. Too much dependency on men as breadwinners leads them to poverty. Even as the film ends with shots of people walking, the appearance of men and females are different. A couple is waiting for a bus on the sidewalks of a road; the man is more well-dressed than the woman. Perhaps she is just escorting him, after which she will return home. The reprieve is shown in a shot of a man and woman at a social function, and a close-up is shown of a man listening to a whispering woman. Perhaps to show that people have begun to listen to each other.
Positive Reactions to the Film
Both men and women must cooperate to end the HIV pandemic. In the documentary, through the Aids Control Council of Kenya (Whose head is male), the government gives facilities to those affected to continue awareness. In addition, many women groups have been allowed to help in counseling.
Most of those infected are now being accepted in the society that rejected them. Some, like Marita, are even counselors. Only through better communication can we bond with those affected by the pandemic.
The film involves the opinion of both men and women. To help resolve the customs problem, both males and females must be involved in the discussions.
There is hope in the documentary that the problem will end someday one day. This hope is what encourages everyone to contribute to the fight.
Adverse Reactions to the film
Some shots in the film were not ethical. Sometimes, the cameraperson focused on the behinds of women walking on the street.
This film shows many actions in an urban setting, while an introduction talks about sub-Saharan Africa in general; one expects to see both the urban and rural to know the extent of the pandemic.
In conclusion, this documentary was timely. A lot of the problems affecting social settings in the region can be alleviated through communication.
Reference List
Golon, N. (2009). The silent partner: HIV in Marriage Documentary Summary. Web.
Oyando, M (Producer), Golon, N (Director). (2008). the silent Partner: HIV in Marriage.
(Online Video). Nairobi: Population Action International.