African Women Status (02:18)

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Learn the traditional role of African women. Women account for 52% of Africa's population.

Female Circumcision (02:40)

Sex is a taboo subject in Africa. Aicha Tamboura was circumcised at the age of four.

African Tradition (02:00)

Tamboura describes her experience with female circumcision.

Female Circumcision Process (02:33)

Mme Karambiri began practicing female circumcision at eight-years-old. She explains why the procedure is done and describes the process.

Going Against Tradition (02:43)

Tamboura discusses the difficulty of changing attitudes toward female circumcision. Mariam Lamizana discusses the campaign against the practice.

Forced Marriages (02:36)

Young girls are often promised to men. Rosalie joined a nunnery to escape marriage. Sister Emmanuelle discusses this common practice.

Escaping Traditional Society (01:58)

Kadidia Sanogo discusses young girls taking refuge in a nunnery instead of accepting an arranged marriage. Widows are often forced to marry their husband's brother.

Unable to Freely Choose a Husband (03:07)

A woman discusses being used as an object between two families. Wives are considered minors and a guardian must be found to manage assets; many widows are left with nothing.

Living in the Streets (01:42)

A man reflects on sleeping in a cardboard box. Lucie Kabore says that man is destroying himself.

AIDS (03:13)

Journalist Monique Ilboudo describes African women as submissive; few precautions are taken during sex. Blanche Toe discusses STD prevention in the marketplace.

AIDS Prevention (02:27)

Toe discusses the impact of AIDS on women. A volunteer demonstrates how to use a condom.

Struggle (04:02)

See archival footage of the 1991 revolution in Mali. Asissata Cisse recalls aiding the wounded and getting caught in the middle of a rally against the violence. (Graphic images)

Struggles for African Women (02:39)

Cisse reflects on the women's involvement in the 1991 Mali revolution. Governor Kadidiatou Sow discusses the political appointment of women and how crisis affects women.

Survival (02:14)

Women clean fish and dry them along the shoreline. Women do not have the right to trade and men do the selling.

Tanners (03:34)

Women prepare animal hides; the land they work on does not belong to them. The state ignores the income they generate. Mariem Sow says women are overworked.

Economy (02:06)

Women create new activities to earn money. In Benin, women enter new economy sectors such as auto body.

Danktopa Market (03:52)

Despite illiteracy, most women are shopkeepers. Daughters begin learning their mothers' trade by the age of six. Sometimes women teach their husbands and sons.

Politics (03:34)

In Africa, women have not traditionally been successful in politics. Rich business women may become more involved; women's associations provide a grass roots level.

Credits: Femmes Aux Yeux Ouverts (00:51)

Credits: Femmes Aux Yeux Ouverts