“I was not aware of women’s greater vulnerability.”
“Your film has renewed my commitment.”
“Factual and uplifting.”

Women are biologically, socially and economically vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Root causes such as violence or economic dependence, disproportionately increase their chances of contracting the virus. Discrimination or stigma then decrease their chances of obtaining adequate care. But women have solutions. They are empowering themselves with knowledge. They are helping one another through associations and collective programs. And they are pushing governments to adopt practical solutions.

The women featured in this film, describe their hardships but they also provide direction. They show us the value of correct information. They prove the benefits of community support. They introduce people and organisations that are making a difference. And, they humbly show us how their own commitment has helped change and save other women's lives.

But they are also angry. They cannot understand the immobility of those who have the power to change things. So they identify hurdles in the hope of making some constructive progress. They want HIV and AIDS to be higher on governments' list of priorities. They want gender imbalances to be addressed and women's rights to be respected. They aim to mobilise women worldwide because they can count. They know how many people have died, are dying and will continue to die unless concrete action is taken. If you were looking for a film about women and AIDS that tells it as it is, this is it.

The three narrators are committed women. They are players in the fight against HIV and AIDS. They come from three different continents and they speak their mind. They ensure that viewers walk away with both a sense of urgency and one of hope. The film features Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, General Secretary of the World YWCA, Dr. Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS and actress Emma Thompson, a member of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

The 52–minute film was produced by mondofragilis on behalf of the World YWCA and with the support of UNAIDS. It was filmed in several countries during December 2003 and January 2004.

Contact us for all information.

Media Information

The media advisory was released by UNAIDS during the week of February 23, 2004.

The news release was jointly released by UNAIDS and the World YWCA on Monday, March 8, 2004.

Reviews

Great film - well done Cemil and his team - lots of food for thought and action.
Staff, World Health Organization

I saw it yesterday in WHO and found it very powerful as a woman and mum of two girls - it really emphasizes in such a true way how the freedom of choice is a key to a woman's happiness!
Staff, World Health Organization

Let me congratulate you now on the film. Very good stuff. Hats off.
Staff, International Organization for Migration

I've just seen the movie "Women are leading change" and wish to congratulate your team for affirming such strong messages and for conveying the need of change in our individual behaviours. As many others, I'd like to help.
Staff, UN

I was really impressed by the movie. I think it is a well done production and it addresses the topic of women and HIV/AIDS, and the challenge for changing our own behaviour and our appraoch towards not only HIV/AIDS. The questions of how persons are educated (sex and love, the responsibility of religion and theology) and what does really matter in a person’s life and in a community was well presented from female perspective. I immediately thought about teaching with this movie and make it fruitful for the future.
Ecumenical Institute, Switzerland

Showings

Women are was shown on television in 44 countries.

It was downloaded from our website over 20,500 times.

It is now part of the curriculum in various universities worldwide.

Highlights

• CICG, Geneva; Premiere organized by World YWCA and mondofragilis; 8 March 2004, 12:20 CET
• World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters, Geneva; 8 March 2004, 13:45 CET
• United Nations (UN) headquarters, New York; 8 March 2004, 15:00 EST
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters, Paris; 27 April 2004, 18:30 CET
• International AIDS Conference, Bangkok; July 2004
• Globosat TV, GNT, Brazil
• Discovery Channel

Downloads

Compressed versions of “Women are” can be downloaded. For now, the film is available to qualified media, NGOs or IGOs. In the near future, it will be available for a wider public.

If you would like to know whether we can provide you with a link, please contact us .