I would like to share some information about Tokstret Radio Project; Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Component which ended in 2006.

The Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Subprogram involved a number of partners working towards achieving improved reproductive health (RH) for adolescents.

The Project Output was : Increased availability of reproductive health information, education and services including counselling for adolescents & Youths in selected areas.
Project Outcome- to have contributed to increased use of:
a) Quality RH services, information and counselling and
b) Gender sensitive RH information, education and communication promoting behavioural changes towards reproductive and sexual health practices.

The YWCA of PNGs role in achieving improved RH for adolescents is by way of the following projects:
1) Tokstret Radio Project: a weekly radio broadcast aired on the National Broadcasting Corporation and the
2) Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Church Youth Project- involves Peer Education training of church youth leaders.

The radio project has encouraged young people in schools, settlements, churches and in the provinces to participate and share their views about reproductive and sexual health issues.

Our provincial tours conducting group discussions with young people revealed a lot of information that needs the attention of decision makers at all levels.

An interview session with Grade 8 students at Raphael Kome Primary School, Western Highlands Province, revealed that almost all of the students in one class came from broken or polygamous families. Students were highly critical over the lack of a role model father to emulate, the absence of trusted adults they could discuss issues with or seek help from and the continuous physical and verbal abuse they had to endure regularly. Students expressed their desire for further education but living under these conditions was demoralising. Girls reported that they were always told by their fathers or guardians to prostitute themselves if they wanted money to pay for school fees, uniforms and other education materials.

Interviews with most students highlighted the following:
o That there were misconceptions amongst young people that only prostitutes have Hiv/Aids.
o Family violence & an unstable family environment contribute to young people being rebellious and getting involved in drugs, prostitution and alcohol abuse. As one child put it: My father spends all his money on sex with other women and doesnt care about us, we go hungry all the time. He doesnt care so why should I care about my life and what I get myself into.
o Church run schools gagging teachers and students on the issue of sex education. Eg. Fatima Primary School students were warned not to speak their mind about reproductive and sexual health.
One Grade 8 Students at Mosa Primary School, West New Britain called for condoms to be distributed at schools because of the increasing number of teenage sex.

The views of young people in the highlands region was echoed in other provinces but with different circumstances and challenges.

In general:

o Since the inception of the project, listeners from around the country have written and called the talkback numbers during the program seeking help, advice and talking about reproductive health issues.
o We believe the program has contributed to a breaking down of barriers that hinder people from talking about reproductive health.
o According to doctors who participated on the program, more men are accompanying their spouse to hospitals for medical attention, usually the wife goes alone.
o Organizations such as ICRAF, Catholic Family Health Services, Port Moresby General Hospital Family Support Center have informed us that people have sought help and advice from them after hearing representatives from these respective organizations speak on Tokstret.
o In 2006, the program format changed to an on air training format, involving a facilitator who conducts training on radio. This enables information to be disseminated in a more simple and easy to follow method.
o There’s a deliberate attempt to involve youth from private schools and out of school youths in panel discussions to ensure that we achieve our project output of disseminating information to young people.

The young people from different backgrounds have indicated that the trainings have helped them in terms of added information, changing of behaviour, better understanding of issues and themselves through the Adolescent training.

Hope to hear from you all soon.