Sexual Dimensions [Dimensiones Sexuales]

This programme draws on a youth-centred, entertainment-based, peer education approach to expose adolescent radio listeners to information about sexual and reproductive health, and to motivate them to seek services. The young people involved in the programme were chosen through a nationwide contest that asked applicants to write a mini-soap opera script, as well as to answer questions as to why they were interested in participating and what skills they could bring to the project. Those involved in the actual production of the show were chosen from a school of communication, so they had some technical background.

The half-hour show, called "Concurso de Radio de Mini Radio Novelas Juveniles" ["Radio Contest of Mini Radio Youth Drama"] is broadcast Thursdays on state-owned radio at 5:30 in the evening under the direction of CORA's Leticia Velasco. The programmes vary in content, featuring such issues as adolescent pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS, and sexual abuse or sexually transmitted infection (STI). Two young adult moderators, one woman and one man, sit in on the discussion, as does as an expert in that particular field. On-air questions are invited from the listening audience via telephone calls and email in this interactive talk-show format.

In addition to the radio programmes, the project includes training of health care providers and youth service agency staff in how to deal with adolescent sexuality issues. To help support further training and to document the project's methodology, CORA and one of the partners in this project, the USA-based Population Media Center (PMC), developed a printed manual for those interested in replicating the initiative in other regions.

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Youth.

Organisers indicate that sexual and reproductive health among youth is still taboo in the states they have selected for this project. These states are also among the Mexican government's 10 priority economically poor states with high levels of sexual and reproductive health problems.

CORA was founded in 1978. Organisers are in the process of raising funds to extend the with Michoacán State and 3 Central America Countries: Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.