There is growing media interest in covering issues around sexual minorities and multiple concurrent partnerships following the training of journalists under the Communicating HIV and AIDS Prevention in Southern Africa project.
In October, PSAf conducted three media training workshops in Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland. The workshops were conducted under the HIV and AIDS programme, with funding from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). This is being fostered through promoting open dialogue on cultural issues surrounding Multiple Concurrent Partners (MCPs), prevention of mother to child transmission and HIV prevention for Sexual Minority Groups.
Following the workshops, media professionals from the three countries have expressed interest to be part of the project, as evidenced by the large number of story ideas submitted for consideration for fellowships support.
In Zambia alone, over 30 story ideas were received from 13 journalists within four weeks after the workshop. Of these, 18 have since been approved and the reporters are currently working on the stories, with some already having been published in national newspapers.
The story ideas that have been submitted so far focus on the following: Sexual minority groups in homes; The agony of a mother whose son has been abused; Active couple participation in PMTCT to ensure high success rates; Encouraging pregnant mothers to go for early antenatal and postnatal care to reduce maternal mortality rate as a result of HIV. One of the articles also focuses on HIV infections in stable homes, and provokes readers to reflect on how safe they and their partners are.
The story ideas presented so far are from both print and electronic media houses, in the form of features and documentaries.
PSAf has established a working relationship with some radio stations in the three countries where the project has been implemented so far.
Two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) have been signed in Zambia and Swaziland, while a number of discussions are also underway with a number of other radio stations. In Zambia an MoU has been signed with Petauke Explorers Radio to start implementing the Radio listening clubs.
In Swaziland, the Voice of the Church radio station is finalising paperwork for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PSAf for a project aimed at empowering radio listening clubs (RLCs). A number of journalists from that country also submitted story ideas that are currently being considered.
In Lesotho, discussions are currently under way with some radio stations towards the introduction of interactive radio programmes and the setting up of radio listening clubs. In addition, nine of the journalists who took part in the media trainings also submitted ideas for feature articles and documentaries. The selected stories focus on the low use of condoms among herd boys and how this is hampering efforts to tackle HIV and AIDS. There are also articles educating pregnant mothers on compulsory testing while pregnant.
The Communicating HIV and AIDS project has also recorded great impact in Angola and Mozambique, where high level references have been made to PSAf’s work. The project is aimed at ensuring that poor and marginalised groups are at the forefront of the response to HIV and AIDS.
