Communication for social change

Adolescence in Tanzania: An analysis of the challenges, changes and opportunities facing adolescents showed significant reduction in child marriage, a reduction in teenage pregnancy across every socio-economic class and in almost every region. Among sexually active adolescents, it also showed a reduction in risky sexual behaviour, increase in condom use and a dramatic rise in use of condoms. These improvements were so extensive they suggested social change had taken root in communities, and especially among adolescents themselves.

The Children’s Agenda: The Children’s Agenda (Ajenda ya watoto) was developed with government and civil society partners as a powerful advocacy platform for child rights. The four-year plan of the Children’s Agenda lays out a scheme for the partners to work together to increase resources and national and local government commitment to the Top Ten Investments for children.

Young Reporters Network: With colleague Jacqueline Namfua, we developed the Young Reporters Network working with civil society organizations and community and national radio stations. The young reporters come from some of the most excluded groups, including adolescents affected or infected with HIV and AIDS, children living on the streets, living in refugee camps and in some of the poorest rural and urban communities. Within weeks the programme was showing impressive results.

Stopping Violence Against Children: This innovative advocacy and communication strategy to address and prevent violence against children was developed with government and civil society partners. Based on an extensive household survey of violence against children conducted by UNICEF, the Centres for Disease Control and Muhimbili University, the communication strategy aimed to build knowledge, awareness and challenge barriers that prevented children and families reporting abuse.

Confronting stigma: We told the stories of young people living in Zanzibar who are infected with HIV through a photo exhibition. I directed, Jax Namfua collected the stories and Sala Lewis took the photographs and mounted the exhibition. It was opened at the House of Wonders in Stone Town, Zanzibar by actor, activist and UNICEF Ambassador Danny Glover during the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July 2010.