Archbishop of Canterbury's World AIDS Day Message "A space for hope"

01/12/09

The Archbishop of Canterbury has released his 2009 World Aids Day video, in which he speaks with the Revd Patricia Sawo, a church leader and mother from Kenya, about her experiences of living with HIV.

The video highlights the plight of expectant mothers who are HIV positive and the support they need to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies.

The video is available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmB7SqxuAR0.

Dr Williams and The Revd Sawo discuss both the problems that emerge through keeping silent on issues surrounding HIV and the importance of the Church’s role in breaking this silence and providing support and leadership. As a faith leader and a mother herself living with HIV, The Revd Sawo gives the example of her own church: "My congregation knows about my status and people in my church know that this is a place where, if they come with HIV, they can be loved."

The Revd Sawo calls for the eradication of the stigma and denial associated with the condition: “The things we are silent about, the things we never talk about - they are the things that really affect us”.

In the video the Archbishop says that the Church can: “Provide space for people to face themselves, to be themselves, and to cope with their future.”

A message of hope runs throughout the video. The Archbishop says: “We know that the transmission from mother to child is something that can be dealt with. We need to encourage all our governments to keep up their commitment to making this medical help available, and to giving that hope, which we know is possible.”

The Revd Sawo echoes this: “What makes me hopeful is the Church, and the love that a woman can receive in the Church. Hoping in faith that all things are possible, but at the same time making it a reality by having the space in the Church where women can grow to be themselves, and be able to face all kinds of life challenges.” The video also highlights the role of men, of fathers, in supporting mothers to access support and vital services.

According to the United Nations, there are 2.1 million children (0-15 years) living with HIV. In 2008, 430,000 children were newly infected with HIV, 90% of them through mother-to-child transmission. In low and middle income countries, only 45% of mothers living with HIV can access comprehensive services to help protect their babies from infection.

Patricia Sawo is the HIV Ambassador for Tearfund, a Christian relief and development agency, who co-produced the video.