Premiere of Amra Shobai Jante Chai

A gala premiere of the new enter-educate 26-episode TV magazine program Amra Shobai Jante Chai under Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) communication package Know Yourself was held on May 19, 2005 at Spectra Convention Centre, Gulshan-1, Dhaka. The program was organized by Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) with support from ARH Working Group.

This inter active program is hosted by two adolescents who interact with a live audience for question/answer sessions, special guest appearances, games, songs, poems, a drama, a quiz, and real interviews from field reporters. The program was developed with extensive adolescent involvement and it is reflected in the way it is appealing, but also touches realistically on the relevant issues in adolescent’s lives. Blended with entertainment, adolescent-related health issues are discussed, such as physical and emotional changes during puberty, relationship with the family members, selection of friends, attraction and rejection, eve teasing, reproductive health, cleanliness, HIV/AIDS and other sexual diseases and health for married adolescents. Adolescents are seen discussing the issues and offering their own solutions with help from adults when needed. It is expected that this TV magazine will increase awareness on critical issues concerning reproductive health and rights among adolescents. Simultaneously, it will help adolescents shape a risk-free future by aiding them to developing life skills in critical thinking and positive health behavior and by encouraging them to avoid risky or harmful practices.

At the beginning, Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan, Director & CEO, BCCP made his welcome speech. Dr. Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Mr. A F M Sarwar Kamal, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attended the ceremony as guests of honor. Clippings from the different episodes of the TV magazine were shown in the event.

This TV drama is strategically linked to a companion radio magazine program, a comic book series and the grassroots ‘Know Yourself’ Life Skills Communication Program, currently being implemented by many NGOs in Bangladesh. Recently honored with a Global Media Award from a US-based the Population Institute, the ‘Know Yourself’ materials include Q and A booklets and Life Skills videos with facilitators guides. All the ARH media and materials reinforce the same health information for adolescents.

BCCP has undertaken this initiative with support from USAID and UNICEF, technical assistance from the Health Communication Partnership (HCP) based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the guidance of the ARH Working Group. Bangladesh Television will broadcast this program at the end of May, every week in the evening.

		Premiere of Amra Shobai Jante Chai
		A gala premiere of the new enter-educate 26-episode TV magazine program Amra Shobai Jante Chai under Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) communication package Know Yourself was held on May 19, 2005 at Spectra Convention Centre, Gulshan-1, Dhaka. The program was organized by Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) with support from ARH Working Group. This inter active program is hosted by two adolescents who interact with a live audience for question/answer sessions, special guest appearances, games, songs, poems, a drama, a quiz, and real interviews from field reporters. The program was developed with extensive adolescent involvement and it is reflected in the way it is appealing, but also touches realistically on the relevant issues in adolescent’s lives. Blended with entertainment, adolescent-related health issues are discussed, such as physical and emotional changes during puberty, relationship with the family members, selection of friends, attraction and rejection, eve teasing, reproductive health, cleanliness, HIV/AIDS and other sexual diseases and health for married adolescents. Adolescents are seen discussing the issues and offering their own solutions with help from adults when needed. It is expected that this TV magazine will increase awareness on critical issues concerning reproductive health and rights among adolescents. Simultaneously, it will help adolescents shape a risk-free future by aiding them to developing life skills in critical thinking and positive health behavior and by encouraging them to avoid risky or harmful practices. At the beginning, Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan, Director & CEO, BCCP made his welcome speech. Dr. Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Mr. A F M Sarwar Kamal, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare attended the ceremony as guests of honor. Clippings from the different episodes of the TV magazine were shown in the event. This TV drama is strategically linked to a companion radio magazine program, a comic book series and the grassroots ‘Know Yourself’ Life Skills Communication Program, currently being implemented by many NGOs in Bangladesh. Recently honored with a Global Media Award from a US-based the Population Institute, the ‘Know Yourself’ materials include Q and A booklets and Life Skills videos with facilitators guides. All the ARH media and materials reinforce the same health information for adolescents. BCCP has undertaken this initiative with support from USAID and UNICEF, technical assistance from the Health Communication Partnership (HCP) based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the guidance of the ARH Working Group. Bangladesh Television will broadcast this program at the end of May, every week in the evening.