The Drum Beat 154 - Communication and Change News and Issues

PROGRAMMES

1.Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK) - Kenya - an NGO founded by a group of women, the majority of whom are HIV positive. WOFAK began by training 35 female community leaders to educate citizens. They also train women to offer home-based care for those with HIV/AIDS, to train other women as caregivers, and to counsel people with HIV/AIDS. WOFAK also offers a support group that brings women together to share their experiences and to offer mutual support. A drop-in centre in Kayole serves women living with HIV/AIDS, and their dependents. Contact [email protected]

2.Ombligos al Sol - Mexico - a 1-hour radio show that covers themes such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, date rape, the risks of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), eating disorders, and domestic violence. The show is written, produced, directed, acted, and hosted by a local team of young people. The team was trained in scriptwriting and radio production, as well as in issues associated with reproductive health. The show features advice from experts, testimonials from young people, and a weekly mini-drama. It also encourages interactive participation of youth through comments or questions via phone or e-mail. Contact Lillian Chege [email protected]

3.Voice of Adolescents and Youth - Vietnam - a 3 month advocacy campaign consisting of a series of 6 television programmes aired on national Vietnamese television. The series addresses unwanted pregnancies, contraception, gender equity, and HIV/AIDS amongst adolescents. There is also a focus on young men's responsibility with regard to practising safe sex and taking care of their partner. By broadcasting the spots in the break between football matches, the series aims to reach Vietnamese adolescents, as well as key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, and policy makers. Contact Caroline Jane Kent [email protected]

4.Arab Women Speak Out (AWSO) - Middle East/North Africa - an advocacy and training programme that aims to help Arab women overcome social, economic, educational, and political obstacles to achieve their potential outside the home. AWSO offers a series of 10 video profiles, training and discussion materials, a tool for monitoring the image of women in the media, and a case study publication of 30 women from 5 Arab countries. The materials were produced by Arab women researchers and film producers, and feature examples of women who have taken the initiative to make positive changes in their lives. Contact Carol Underwood [email protected]

***

PULSE POLL

Programmes that foster open discussion and debate on HIV/AIDS are as important as programmes that distribute condoms.

Do you agree or disagree?

***

5.Kidlink Houses - Brazil - internet centres serving students, street kids, and indigenous youth. Goals include keeping kids off the street, motivating street kids to return to school, promoting literacy, supporting kids through difficult times, and giving youth more control over their lives. The centres have a lab which is open at specific times for kids from all venues. The centres also work towards community building - groups of senior citizens interact by email with KHouse kids. Contact Odd de Presno [email protected] OR [email protected]

6.Men on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW) - The Philippines - included a series of workshops in 3 cities in Metropolitan Cebu, south of Manila, in late 2001. 42 barangay chairmen and 40 policemen participated. A 30-second radio spot (soap opera style) was broadcast 40 times daily for 16 days on 4 stations. A poster bearing the message "Stop Violence Against Women" and featuring sketches of barangay chairmen and policemen was displayed in all local barangay meeting halls and police stations. Contact Virgilio Pernito [email protected]

7.Postcards from Africa - USA - an initiative to educate US students on the realities of young people growing up in a world ravaged by HIV/AIDS. It is the result of a partnership between the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) and Africa Alive!. Under the partnership, BCPSS students become penpals for Africans in youth groups. Stories gleaned from this communication will be posted to the AfricaAlive! website. Contact [email protected]

IMPACT DATA

8.Impact Data - Rural Extended Services and Care for Ultimate Emergency Relief (RESCUER) Programme - Uganda - a referral project designed to address the high maternal mortality rate in Uganda. TBAs reported that walkie-talkie technology improved their image, credibility, and compliance with referral advice, thereby increasing their client base. This technology was especially helpful for women who cannot write. Study found that impact is enhanced if the technology is tailored to local conditions and if traditional and modern knowledge systems are leveraged. Programme has reduced maternal mortality by over 50% since its inception. Contact Maria Musoke [email protected]

9.Impact Data - Community Radio Programmes - India - programmes were designed to provide information, instill an understanding of rural life, and eliminate erroneous beliefs. Of 128 respondents to a survey sent to 250, 73% regularly listened to the radio, while 23% listened frequently, and 5% only occasionally. 46% described their newly acquired knowledge as related to the customs and practices of the rural community, and 15% said they learned about gender equality and problems arising from child marriage. 49% believed that the customs and practices of the rural community that were broached made the programmes interesting. Contact Vincent Victor [email protected]

***

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS discussion forum - to stimulate debate on practical aspects. Will focus on Oxfam's experience in Southern Africa with case studies and debate that were the basis for Oxfam's satellite session at the Barcelona HIV/AIDS Conference. Runs until end of July, 2002. To join, send an email to: join-OxfamandHIV/[email protected]

***

TRENDS

10.Gender, Information Technology, and Developing Countries: An Analytic Study by N. Hafkin & N. Taggart - identifies some of the key barriers to women’s access to information technology, as well as instances where women are participating in and benefiting from the use of information technology.

11.Fishing with New Nets: Maori Internet Information Resources & Implications of the Internet for Indigenous Peoples - surveys internet information resources relating to the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand and examines issues that arise when indigenous peoples' culture is placed in a digital networked environment.

MATERIALS

12.Comfort and Hope - six case studies on mobilizing family and community care for and by people with HIV/AIDS. From UNAIDS.

13. Multi-stakeholder Processes: Beyond Conflict and Deadlock - offers an assessment tool and guide for Multi-stakeholder Process (MSP) decision making, explains how MSPs can be organised and implemented.

14.Picturing a Life Free of Violence: Media and Communications Strategies to End Violence Against Women - showcases a variety of strategies and materials used around the world to end violence against women.

***

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

for an Anthology of Creative Writing on HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa

* short stories (max 3,000 words)

* testimony (max 3,000 words)

* poetry