Radio dramas help in HIV/AIDS fight
March 8, ACN Newswire

Manila: In small ethnic communities scattered around the uplands of the
Mekong region, groups of women come together during afternoons to listen
to a rare form of entertainment - radio dramas that teach them about
HIV/AIDS, trafficking and drug use.

These minority women, mostly from the upland ethnic groups of the
Thai-Myanmar-Laos-China border regions, are vulnerable to exploitation in
the region's sex industry. With limited education, and knowledge about how
to protect themselves, they are also at a higher risk of acquiring
HIV/AIDS.

Formerly, their isolation protected them from the spread of the deadly
HIV/AIDS virus. But with newly constructed roads and the opening of
borders, the situation is changing. The flow of people from one country to
another for trade and employment has increased, as has trafficking of
drugs and people, and the spread of HIV infection.

Increased injecting drug use has also aggravated the spread of HIV/AIDS in
the region. For instance, in Yunnan Province, about 21% of female
injecting drug users also engage in commercial sex work, thereby further
increasing their vulnerability and risk to acquire HIV.

The radio dramas they listen to were produced by an innovative technical
assistance project that embarked on an information and communications
technology-based education campaign to combat HIV/AIDS. The dramas are
written in local languages and target ethnic minorities.

"Radio dramas have been found to be an effective vehicle for reaching
young people, who are frequently unresponsive to public service
announcements or didactic programs," says Anupma Jain, an ADB Social
Sector Specialist.

A new regional technical assistance project, funded by the Poverty
Reduction Cooperation Fund, will further help prevent the spread of
HIV/AIDS, human trafficking and non-traditional drug use by expanding the
scope of the earlier project.

Carried out in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Bangkok, the new project is
producing radio dramas in more ethnic languages and covering new ethnic
groups living in the cross-border areas of Cambodia, Yunnan Province of
the People's Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and
Thailand.

The new project includes four additional ethnic minority languages - Akha
in Thailand; Tai Neua and Tai Lue in Yunnan Province; and Khmu in Lao PDR
- and is piloting the production of radio dramas in the Kreung language
spoken in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, where established broadcasting
infrastructure is limited.

"A vast number of ethnic minority groups live in the region and speak
different languages and dialects. Their collective stories make up the
essence of these radio dramas, which help educate others in their
communities about the risks of HIV/AIDS," says Ms. Jain.

The dramas are written in the local languages by native speakers, as
opposed to being written in English or the national language and
translated to the local language. They are based on intensive research on
life stories, issues and concerns.

"This way, the audience can really identify with the stories," she adds.

Once the radio programs are developed, they are translated into English
and the national language to check for the accuracy of the information
being delivered. The programs are accompanied by local music and sounds to
enhance authenticity and emphasize cultural richness of ethnic groups.

Once ready, these programs will be broadcast on local stations or through
other communication systems such as loudspeakers or community-based
radios. Tapes and compact disks of the program will also be produced and
distributed for use by communities and health workers.

About ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK:

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and
Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social
development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 64
members - 46 from the region.

In 2005, it approved loans and grants for projects totaling $6.95 billion,
and technical assistance amounting to $198.8 million.