Project: Innovations in Family Planning Services Technical Assistance Project (ITAP)
Under the ITAP supported activities in Jharkhand, special efforts to increase the awareness and demand for family planning and reproductive health in the state have been initiated. Under this initiative the state empaneled troupes were trained in performing a street play on family planning and reproductive health, that is based on behavior change communication and entertainment-education approaches. The program involves the eminent Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, headed by Dr. Mallika Sarabhai (Indian Classical Dancer and social activist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat,), to train the troupes and perform over 150 shows in the three districts, namely Simdega, Giridh and Chaibasa, have been identified by the state to implement the interventions and conduct the folk plays. The trained, state folk troops will perform similar plays in other districts through NRHM funds.
Six troupes were trained, of which four troupes were selected to conduct shows at the village level. The play uses the entertainment--education approach which states that communication can bring about a change in attitudes and perceptions if it caters to the head and the heart. Thus, more than informing or creating awareness, the messages or events or stories trigger an emotional response in the audience, make them realize, contemplate and move towards change. This is accentuated with the use of local folk tunes, themes, songs and background effects.
The play intends to discuss the ideal age of marriage for girls, delaying first child, benefits of spacing for 3 years and limiting family size after two children (be it girls or boys) by comparing two families- one with lots of children and other with just one child. In doing so they see the impact of too many children, closely spaced on economic condition, quality of life, interspousal relationship and the health of the woman and child. The audience is shocked when the woman with her sixth child screams with labor pains and is taken through the audience by the other characters, and even more when they hear the baby dies during delivery. The audience begin to contemplate their own lives, when the father of the dead child realizes he should have listened to his wife and adopted a contraceptive method long time ago. Post-performance discussions and exit interviews aid in checking if the audiences understand the key messages.
The street plays began from May 10, 2011 and total of 150 shows have been performed, each drawing about 300 spectators including men and women of reproductive age, family elders, adolescents and children. Being the summer season and agriculture having taken a back seat, more men are showing up to the shows.
The state has appreciated the work well
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