Play Your Part

Play your Part deals with maternal health issues from the perspective of health workers. Organisers say that by training the health workers and by giving them the opportunity to produce the film, they have also built the health workers' capacity to advocate for change at the district government level, within their communities, and at a global level. According to the organisers, the project has become a model for giving health workers the skills to carry out advocacy while at the same time inspiring them to become activists within their communities. The film itself is an advocacy tool that can be used to influence decision makers and policy makers and has been screened at community, national, and international events.

Play your Part contains personal stories and interviews with health workers, government officials, mothers, fathers, and children. These stories are designed to give a face to the issues and help drive home the need for improved access to services for parents, more medical supplies and equipment, bigger clinics, and more trained doctors and midwives.

The soundtrack for the film was written and performed by a popular Tanzanian singer, Stara Thomas. According to the organisers, this kind of involvement or buy-in from a local celebrity gives the film an added boost, since people tend to pay close attention to what celebrities do and talk or sing about.

Click here to watch the film online.

Maternal Health, Children.

According to the organisers, 14 other countries where White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood works, including Malawi and South Africa, have now requested a similar project in order to raise awareness about maternal health issues and bring about change.