Fighting for life

Swaziland has the highest proportion of AIDS infection in the world. More than 40% of the population is HIV-positive and average life expectancy is just 32 years. SWAPOL (Swaziland Positive Living) is a women’s organisation that challenges the victimisation and discrimination of HIV-infected women in the country’s rural communities. This presents its own difficulties in an undemocratic country where the king is suspicious of any form of activism. The film follows the women who devote their lives to SWAPOL, working to help their community in its time of crisis.

Swaziland is a small country with a big problem. It has the highest rate of AIDS infection in the world. Of its 1 million inhabitants, 40% are HIV-positive and some of the country’s traditions are getting in the way of any solution. Men are encouraged to have multiple wives and sexual partners. Women are frowned upon for speaking out – even on the issue of whether or not to use a condom. The government signs up to international agreements on AIDS and HIV but they are rarely implemented.

SWAPOL (Swaziland Positive Living) was set up by five HIV-positive women to combat discrimination in their country and address the difficult issues faced by their country. This film follows the organisation’s leader and its project manager as they go about their work – educating sex workers about condoms, supporting AIDS-orphans and visiting “child-headed” households.

The viewer gets to know the two women featured. It would be hard to not be impressed by their dedication to helping their community in the face of such adversity. For SWAPOL is unpopular in Swaziland’s official circles. The country is one of the world’s last remaining non-democratic monarchies and the king is deeply suspicious of any activism. Even SWAPOL’s provision of food and blankets to orphans tends to be funded from external donors.

This film tells the story of a country in deep crisis, where the only positive headway is being made by community activists. Although their dedication is moving, it is hard to come away from the film with anything but a sense of foreboding.

National curriculum links:

Citizenship KS3: 1f, 1i, 2a, 3a

Citizenship KS4: 1f, 1j, 2a, 3a

PSHE KS3: 2e

PSHE KS4: 2e

Geography KS3: 6f

Geography KS4 (humanities entitlement statement)