The African Grandmothers Tribunal: Seeking Justice at the Front Lines of the AIDS Crisis is a documentary film summarizing a session that took place in 2013 in Vancouver when six African grandmothers and witnesses told their stories before several judges. The Sunshine Coast Grandmothers and GrandOthers group is showing the film on Friday, Sept. 25 (7 to 9 p.m.) at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons and on Sunday, Sept. 27 (2 to 4 p.m.) at St. Hilda’s in Sechelt.
Why this film now, two years later?
“Because all the issues connected to the tribunal are still there,” said Julie Gleadow of the local Grandmothers group. She notes that the film is inspiring with lots of positive energy, though the subject is brutal. The women are grandmothers who take care of their orphaned grandchildren whose parents have died of AIDS. Global deaths from AIDS have been estimated at up to 25 million.
The women’s stories describe widespread discrimination and poverty, the loss of property, sexual violence and a lack of food or income security. This documentary is intended to promote knowledge of the issues among Canadians and to let our government know of the social injustice. It’s bound to resonate. Caring for grandchildren and security of income “are often issues that Canadian elder people struggle with,” said Gleadow.
This campaign from groups all over Canada is part of a larger movement through the Stephen Lewis Foundation that works with community-level organizations to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Since 2003, they have funded over 1,100 initiatives, partnering with more than 300 community-based organizations in 15 African countries to provide care and support to all those with AIDS. Some Canadian grandmothers are on the ground in Africa having direct contact with their African counterparts and constantly reviewing the situation. At home, the Sunshine Coast group – 32 attended the last meeting – volunteer to carry out local work. They are mostly women (and some men) of all ages.
At the Sept. 25 screening at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, expect to hear singing from a group of women from Vancouver Island. Tina Filippino has written and recorded songs about their work, Songs to Sing Together. At both screenings, a suggested donation of $10 covers their costs; tickets can be bought in advance at Gaia’s and Laedeli in Gibsons, Sechelt Visitor Centre and the Fibre Expressions Quilt Shop.
