Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 19 years ago
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HIV/AIDS Programme

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Implemented by the International Organization of Migration (IOM), this programme works to teach young girls in Angola about HIV/AIDS through artistic activities, face-to-face discussions, and sports. The idea is that, by encouraging teenage girls in small cities and rural villages to engage with each other in experiences designed to both educate and entertain, they can learn about HIV/AIDS, and hopefully, be inspired to delay their first sexual experience.
Communication Strategies

The programme uses mostly interpersonal communication to reach girls with information on HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, delaying first sexual intercourse, fidelity, and other gender-related issues. Communication tools used include video, music, and theatre. IOM also trains peer educators and organises debates in local languages. Organisers comment that, at these discussions, "girls are more open when there are no men present." Before talking to the girls, the organisers obtain permission from village elders and parents.

Sport is also used as a tool to build a sense of camaraderie among girls, helping them to “organise themselves, to be more self confident" as they learn about how to make empowering choices about their bodies and futures. The project's 10 soccer teams participate in competitions with young female players in neighbouring villages. The HIV/AIDS team provides soccer training each time it visits the teams, while also organising debates and video sessions about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health with the girls after the game.

Development Issues

Youth, Gender, HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health.

Partners

The provincial sports department organised the 2005 female soccer championship and donated sports equipment.

Sources

Posting from Marleen Verbeeck to the Gender-AIDS eForum dated May 10 2005 and IOM website.