Media development action with informed and engaged societies
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.
Time to read
less than
1 minute
Read so far

Radio and Family Planning - The Gambia

1 comment
This two-year, information, education, and communication (IEC) family planning campaign used radio serial drama aimed primarily at rural (and less educated) women, along with training programmes for service providers. The objective of the programme was to improve attitudes, knowledge, and use of modern contraceptive methods. It also aimed to improve interpersonal communication and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Communication Strategies

Thirty-nine episodes of a 15-minute-long radio soap opera drama series, "Fakube Jarra", were aired, as were 30-second radio spot announcements. It is the story of three, working class, fictional families living in a village in The Gambia, each with very different characteristics.

Development Issues

Family Planning, Health, Reproductive Health.

Key Points

"Fakube Jarra" was broadcast as part of a pre-existing "Women's Magazine" show, popular among rural, less educated women. This was intended so as to access an established audience and to aid in the evaluation of the campaign, its exposure and impact. A training programme was also provided for service providers.

Partners

The Gambia Family Planning Association, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs, with funding from USAID.

Sources

Valente, T.W., Kim, Y.M., Lettenmaier, C.L., Glass, W., Dibba, Y. "Radio Promotion of Family Planning in The Gambia". International Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 20, pgs. 96-100, 1994.

Comments

User Image
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

india