ARHR, using creative adolescent-led drama sessions, reached 1,523 Community members with information on their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) between November 2022 and January 2023.
Three separate drama sessions in three different communities in the Greater Accra Region (Ngleshie, Kinka, and Korle-Worko) were organized for adolescents, parents, and other community members.
The drama activities were preceded by health talks and an interactive session where young people were allowed to ask questions and seek clarification on issues that affect their sexual and reproductive health. The drama session covered topics such as the benefits of abstinence; other forms of contraception; consequences of early childbearing, including STIs, fistulae, school drop-out, unsafe abortion; preventing sexual and gender-based violence; and effects of drug and substance use.
Several factors shape young people’s SRH experiences. These include interpersonal influences (peers, partners, social media), community influences (perceived acceptability/unacceptability), macro-social influences (like religion), lack of comprehensive sex education and limited access to confidential and quality services. These drama sessions served as platforms for adolescents to receive the correct information on their SRH.
As part of efforts to leverage social media to promote sexual and reproductive health education, three (3) short videos of the drama and dance sessions were recorded and shared on various social media platforms. Many young people congregate on these virtual platforms, providing valuable avenues to reach them with accurate information. The short videos were accompanied by specific messages on abstinence, other forms of contraception, substance and drug use, and sexual and gender-based violence. The KGL Foundation funded the initiative.
