Straight Talk Project

This initiative uses various types of communication strategies and tools to "talk" directly to and with adolescents, but also to provide strategies for influential adults (e.g., parents and teachers) who seek to engage in dialogue with them about safe behaviour. Since implementation, organisers have expanded the programme in various ways, such as by developing the School Environment Program (SEP) - which is, as of this writing, being implemented in 10 districts in Uganda.

Specifically, core components include:

• Use of printed materials to share ASRH information:
  
  • For youth: Examples include Straight Talk (ST) newspapers in English and 6 other Ugandan languages, primarily geared toward secondary school students, and an English-language Young Talk (YT) newspaper designed for primary school students.
  • For multiple audiences: Examples include Parent Talk, Straight Talk Sudan, Scouts Voice, and Teacher Talk (developed for primary school teachers) in 2002 as part of the SEP effort).
• Use of radio to inform youth - ST radio programmes meant for in- and out-of-school youth are broadcast to various districts in English and 11 other Ugandan languages.
• Person-to-person contact to facilitate communication between adults and adolescents - Community-based activities have included health fairs. In addition, school-based activities include such activities as school visits, which are designed to sensitise teachers and learners about ASRH. (STF newspapers are distributed during these visits). STF also offers 2-day training sessions designed to help teachers appreciate the problems adolescents experience, and create an empathetic school setting ("environment"). Three teachers per school (the head teacher, one male senior teacher, and one female senior teacher) participate in the sessions, during which they are learn about ASRH and child-friendly communication strategies (e.g., comfort discussing puberty and sexual harassment, and appropriate responses to adolescents who are seeking guidance). After the training, teachers return to their schools to implement activities, such as starting ST or YT clubs, supporting guidance and counseling activities, and fostering an adolescent-friendly environment.

Children, Youth, Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS.

STF's mission is to improve the lives of adolescents through behaviour change communication programmes. To learn more, click here.