Arts crucial for behavioural social change
Malawi is sitting on a time-bomb which will explode if it does not do anything regarding young people’s health and poor access to youth-friendly health services such as contraception and voluntary medical male circumcision.
Martin Kalima, Youth Alert programme coordinator, said this during a Tili Bo Southern Region contest at Blantyre Youth Centre at the weekend.
According to Kalima, the youth’s exposure to health choices poses danger to the country’s future.
Punctuated with lots of fun and free health services, the regional finals saw different artists using their art to weave and convey messages bordering around contraception and HIV and Aids to the multitudes that turned up for the event.
From drama to poetry, music to dance, the day was both entertaining and informative with action-packed displays.
The way contestants tackled issues of sexual and reproductive health in their performances parroted the rhythm of the organisers. The motto of the campaign is Timazitsata, which implies that a well-informed youth always think smart when it comes to making health decisions.
Dancehall musicians Nepman and Sangie nailed the Tili Bo campaign with their electric performances that ignited the souls of the youths.
Three of 15 contestants, Manyenje Drama Group, poet Geoffrey Namate and Tingathe Chisamba Dance Troupe, made it to the national challenge, which is slated for December 19. n
