By Friday Simbaya,
Iringa
TACAIDS in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Ministry of Health
and Social Welfare and other partners will tomorrow (Saturday) launch
the Shuga Radio program at Samora Stadium in Iringa Town, said the
Iringa Regional Commissioner (RC), Dr. Christine Ishengoma.
She said that Shuga is a radio drama series that promotes positive
behavior change to reduce HIV infections among young people. The radio
series is part of a multi-country public-private partnership
initiative developed by UNICEF, MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the
PEPFAR Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation to support national
government efforts to reduce new HIV infections among adolescents and
young people through mass media with the messages on HIV Testing and
Counseling (HTC) and safe sex practices.
According to the Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Survey (THMIS 2011-12),
significant differences in HIV prevalence remain. Girls and women
remain more vulnerable to HIV than men and boys. A girl's risk of
contracting HIV increases tremendously-almost 34 percent between 15-19
and 20-24 years. But while almost all young people aged 15 to 24 years
have heard about HIV and AIDS, relatively few know enough to protect
them against infection.
"If young people are well informed of HIV risks, provided with
appropriate knowledge and skills on HIV prevent, and supported by
enabling environment for them to access and use friendly services,
they have a very high likelihood of changing behavior in ways that
reduce their vulnerability. This makes for a bright future for
Tanzania," said RC Dr. Christine Ishengoma.
The 12 episode series provides a view of the lives of a group of four
young fictional characters aged 15-24. It tells a story about their
choices, dreams, friendships, challenges and triumphs in a world where
HIV and AIDS are an ever-present threat. The storyline examines a
range of themes including HTC, condom use in stable relationships,
positive prevention, gender inequality and sexual violence,
transactional sex, alcohol abuse and the role of multiple concurrent
partnerships in driving the HIV epidemic.
Shuga Radio program will complement ongoing HIV preventions in the
Southern Highlands by working together with youth serving
organizations to establish radio listening clubs whereby young people
will be able to learn and discuss in peer groups. They will also be
able to voice their opinions and provide feedback about Shuga through
a free SMS plateform - 15070.
Shuga Radio program was first launched in Dar es Salaam in June 2013.
The series will be aired every Saturday on Clouds FM, Kyela FM, Nuru
FM, Kitulo FM, Kwanza Jamii Radio, Sengerema FM, FADECO FM, Kahama FM,
Pangani FM, Orkonorei FM and Pambazuko FM.
End
TACAIDS in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Ministry of Health
and Social Welfare and other partners will tomorrow (Saturday) launch
the Shuga Radio program at Samora Stadium in Iringa Town, said the
Iringa Regional Commissioner (RC), Dr. Christine Ishengoma.
She said that Shuga is a radio drama series that promotes positive
behavior change to reduce HIV infections among young people. The radio
series is part of a multi-country public-private partnership
initiative developed by UNICEF, MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the
PEPFAR Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation to support national
government efforts to reduce new HIV infections among adolescents and
young people through mass media with the messages on HIV Testing and
Counseling (HTC) and safe sex practices.
According to the Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Survey (THMIS 2011-12),
significant differences in HIV prevalence remain. Girls and women
remain more vulnerable to HIV than men and boys. A girl's risk of
contracting HIV increases tremendously-almost 34 percent between 15-19
and 20-24 years. But while almost all young people aged 15 to 24 years
have heard about HIV and AIDS, relatively few know enough to protect
them against infection.
"If young people are well informed of HIV risks, provided with
appropriate knowledge and skills on HIV prevent, and supported by
enabling environment for them to access and use friendly services,
they have a very high likelihood of changing behavior in ways that
reduce their vulnerability. This makes for a bright future for
Tanzania," said RC Dr. Christine Ishengoma.
The 12 episode series provides a view of the lives of a group of four
young fictional characters aged 15-24. It tells a story about their
choices, dreams, friendships, challenges and triumphs in a world where
HIV and AIDS are an ever-present threat. The storyline examines a
range of themes including HTC, condom use in stable relationships,
positive prevention, gender inequality and sexual violence,
transactional sex, alcohol abuse and the role of multiple concurrent
partnerships in driving the HIV epidemic.
Shuga Radio program will complement ongoing HIV preventions in the
Southern Highlands by working together with youth serving
organizations to establish radio listening clubs whereby young people
will be able to learn and discuss in peer groups. They will also be
able to voice their opinions and provide feedback about Shuga through
a free SMS plateform - 15070.
Shuga Radio program was first launched in Dar es Salaam in June 2013.
The series will be aired every Saturday on Clouds FM, Kyela FM, Nuru
FM, Kitulo FM, Kwanza Jamii Radio, Sengerema FM, FADECO FM, Kahama FM,
Pangani FM, Orkonorei FM and Pambazuko FM.
End
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