- Title: MALI: A play staged in Bamako, Mali tackles spread of HIV among migrant workers
- Date: 29th November 2008
- Summary: AUDIENCE
- Embargoed: 14th December 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mali
- Country: Mali
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Health
- Reuters ID: LVA4P225QJDFZUDZXCQGEX7MK939
- Story Text: A play staged in Bamako, Mali tackles spread of HIV among migrant workers.
"Cinquante-deux", French for 52, is Bamako slang for house helps, many of whom come from rural parts of Mali to work in the capital.
Often poor and low-skilled, these migrant workers are especially vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Entitled "Cinquante-deux", a musical being performed at the Sabalibougou Cultural Centre in Bamako seeks to highlight those very issues ahead of World AIDS Day on Monday (December 1).
Founded in 1986, the Don Theatre troupe addresses local social issues through their performances. The cast is composed of amateur and professional artists.
"Cinquante-deux" is written in the local Bambara language. It tells the story of Djeneba, a young woman from rural Mali who leaves home to find work in the capital.
Djeneba finally finds a job as a house help, but her boss soon forces her into prostitution.
According to the UN, Mali's HIV infection rate stands at 1.5 percent, much lower than South Africa which has a rate of 18.1 percent. Because relatively fewer Malians are affected by the virus, it is often not taken seriously.
"The young migrant workers who commute between their villages and Bamako, many of them don't even believe in the existence of HIV/AIDS. They don't use contraception," said Dr. Daouda Thiérro, from the Sabalibougou Health Clinic.
According to Dr. Thierro, infection rates are even higher among women.
Djeneba gets infected with HIV. She chooses not to reveal her status to her fiancé and gets married.
Her husband finds out about Djeneba's secret when he comes across her test results. She tries hard to win back his trust but it's too late.
The play's theme seemed to resonate with many audience members.
"AIDS is a big problem, especially amongst us, the youth, we are not able to control ourselves," said Ouma Sacko, an audience member.
At the end of each show a health worker gives the audience more information about HIV/AIDS.
"AIDS is not good. It's a terrible disease. In the play we learned that we have to protect ourselves against AIDS, because in town, people take lots of risks," said Aminata Coulibaly, an audience member.
So far Mali has managed to escape the worst of the AIDS pandemic which continues to affect much of Sub-Saharan Africa. By getting people thinking and talking, these young artists hope that their message will help prevent further infections. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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