Population Media Center Opens Recording Studio in Sierra Leone

I am happy to share two articles on PMC’s work in Sierra Leone. The first reports on the opening of a new radio station, and the second on the efforts of PMC program advisory board member and Hollywood actress Alexandra Paul to help train local actors.

As a reminder, Sierra Leone is a country of approximately 6 million people with a population doubling time of 32 years. The total fertility rate of 5 children per woman is among the highest in the world. This high fertility rate is compounded by low use and knowledge of modern contraceptive methods by men and women throughout the country.

The fertility rate is, in part, a reflection of the ideal number of children among married women (5.3) and among married men (6.8). Only 7% of married women (15-49 years of age) in Sierra Leone use a modern method of contraception. Among non-users of modern contraception, the reasons given for non-use are partner opposition (14.4%), fear of side effects or health concerns (14.2%), personal opposition (13.5%), lack of knowledge of methods or sources (12%), wanting as many children as possible (10.8%), and religious opposition (9.3%). Cost was cited by only 1.3%, and lack of access was cited by only 0.3%.In Sierra Leone, As they seek to address health issues….Population Media Center Opens Radio Station

See: http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200519774.shtml

In order to complement government efforts in the health sector, the Population Media Center (PMC) has opened a new radio studio in Sierra Leone to help entertain and educate the people on health issues. This was disclosed to pressmen during an open house press conference at PMC office in Freetown.

In his statement, the country director PMC Mr. Victor Massaquoi said they now have a brand new studio that was state of the art, with all sophisticated and advanced modern equipment. He informed that, they had experts who will soon start to train people to disseminate pertinent messages that are relevant to health issues, adding that, PMC will be producing serial radio drama in episodes that will focus on changing the behavior of people especially rural residents who do not have ideas about basic and domestic well beings.

He said, every Sunday and Wednesday around 7pm to 9pm, they in the Western Area will link with Radios in the Southern, Eastern and Northern Provinces of the country to entertain and educate the people. He went on to explain how essential family planning is and why they should educate the people on it.

Kriss Barker who doubles as vice president PLC International said, they were looking for new talents to help educate them in the art of disseminating messages that are relevant on health issues. She informed that, research conducted by UNFPA has revealed that a lot of health education is essential for Sierra Leone.

To read the rest of the article, click here: http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200519774.shtml

PMC team up with Hollywood actress to train local actors

See: http://www.awoko.org/2012/02/27/pmc-team-up-with-hollywood-actress-to-train-local-actors/

An International Non Governmental Organisation, Population Media Center (PMC) has teamed up with Hollywood actress Alexandra Paul to train local actors and actresses for PMC’s newest series in the country.

Alexandra Paul is best known for her role as Lt. Stephanie Holden in TV series “Baywatch”. She has been a long time advocate of population issues.

The training which started on 25th February will end on March 1st 2012. Alexandra will help PMC create highly engaging drama that will help empower women and promote the use of family planning.

Addressing guests on Friday at the official opening of their state of the art recording studio at their Congo Cross office in Freetown, PMC Country Director Victor Massaquoi explained that they will produce 298 episodes on reproductive health which is supported by UNFPA and Marie Stopes. He added that the project on reproductive health rights will last for three years. The project he said will address malaria prevention, reproductive health and family planning, adolescent reproductive health and unwanted pregnancies, gender based violence, HIV/AIDS, Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and stigma and obstetric fistula, delayed care and antenatal care.

The Country Director reiterated that the radio drama series will be aired every Wednesday and Sunday after the training of local actors and actresses and will come on at 7pm to 9pm on different radio stations across the country.

To read the rest of the article, click here: http://www.awoko.org/2012/02/27/pmc-team-up-with-hollywood-actress-to-train-local-actors/