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Television

Television programming including drama series, talk shows, and public service announcements.

23
Total Programs
Top Themes
Health Behavior Change11
Maternal & Child Health7
Infectious Disease Prevention5
Migration & Displacement3
Youth Development2
Top Countries
Global3
Global (200+ countries)2
United States1
Nigeria1
South Africa (also SADC region)1

Programs Using This Channel

Bell Bajao (Ring the Bell) - Bystander Intervention Campaign (India)

Bell Bajao ("Ring the Bell") is an award-winning domestic violence prevention campaign launched in 2008 by Breakthrough with support from UN Women and India's Ministry of Women and Child Development. The campaign empowers bystanders—especially men and boys—to interrupt domestic violence by simply ringing the doorbell. Mass media (PSAs by Ogilvy & Mather, Bollywood ambassador Boman Irani) reached 130 million people; mobile video vans engaged 7.5+ million across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The Rights Advocates Program trained 75,000+ youth on human rights and GBV. Results: 49% increase in awareness of Domestic Violence Act; belief that abused wife should remain silent dropped from 15.8% to 5.7%. Won Silver Lion at Cannes 2010. Expanded globally as "Ring The Bell" with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as inaugural champion.

India, AsiaWomen of Reproductive Age +2
Mass Media CampaignsCommunity Mobilization
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Soul City Edutainment - Gender-Based Violence Prevention (South Africa)

Soul City is South Africa's pioneering edutainment initiative using prime-time TV and radio dramas to address gender-based violence since the 1990s. The fourth series focused on domestic violence, reaching 86% of audiences via TV, 65% via radio, and 25% via print. Evaluation found: 41% became aware of GBV helpline; 10% increase in disagreement that domestic violence is private; 22% shift in social norm perceptions. The program strongly associated with successful implementation of South Africa's Domestic Violence Act. Soul City is reviving as "Shayi'ndlela" (Turn the Tide) in 2026, funded by UK FCDO, specifically addressing intimate partner violence. The approach has reached 80%+ of South Africa's population including marginalized rural communities, adapting content across all official languages.

South Africa, AfricaHealth Behavior ChangeWomen of Reproductive Age +1
Health Behavior ChangeEdutainment (Entertainment-Education)Mass Media Campaigns
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MTV Shuga - Entertainment Education for HIV Prevention

MTV Shuga is an award-winning edutainment drama series launched in 2009 by MTV Staying Alive Foundation to address HIV/AIDS among African youth. The show uses compelling storylines, trending music, and popular local actors to address HIV prevention, safe sex, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, and stigma. Research shows viewers are 2x more likely to test for HIV. A dose-response relationship found greater exposure linked to higher odds of knowing HIV status. The series has aired in 40+ African countries and 70+ TV stations globally, with seasons set in Kenya, Nigeria (Shuga Naija), South Africa, and Cote dIvoire (Shuga Babi). Multiplatform approach includes TV, radio, graphic novels, peer education, and community viewing parties with HIV testing services.

Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cote dIvoire (40+ African countries), Sub-Saharan AfricaYouth/Adolescents +2
Music for Social ChangeMass Media Campaigns
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Aware Migrants Campaign - IOM Italy

Aware Migrants is an awareness campaign launched in 2016 by IOM and the Italian Ministry of Interior to inform potential migrants about the dangers of irregular migration across the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea. The campaigns slogan is Information is Empowerment. It features video testimonials from migrants who experienced perilous journeys, subtitled in English, Italian and Arabic and broadcast in 15 countries. The campaign uses social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter), radio/TV, community theatre, sports tournaments, cooking events, and photography courses. African artist Rokia Traore wrote the official song Be Aware Brother, Be Aware Sister. Between 2016-2023, the campaign reached 530,000+ people across 11 countries in North and West Africa.

Italy (targeting 11 North/West African countries), Europe / Sub-Saharan AfricaMigration & DisplacementMigrants & Displaced Persons +2
Migration & DisplacementMass Media CampaignsPeer Education
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Africa Music and Health Misinformation Response

African musicians have been instrumental in combating health misinformation during epidemics. During COVID-19, Ugandan artist Bobi Wine released songs to dispel misinformation, inspiring UNESCOs DontGoViral campaign with artists from 40+ African countries creating edutainment content. Musicians have addressed HIV/AIDS and Ebola, collaborating with academics to rebuild trust in health services. A systematic review using the RE-AIM framework found music is an effective but underutilized implementation strategy for health interventions in Africa, improving knowledge, facilitating behavioral change, and promoting mental health. Musics cultural roots and broad appeal make it powerful for reaching diverse age groups. Policy experts call for more research to quantify music-behavior change connections.

Uganda, Nigeria, and 40+ African countries, Sub-Saharan AfricaHealth Behavior ChangeGeneral Population +1
Health Behavior ChangeMusic for Social ChangeMass Media Campaigns
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One Billion Rising - Music and Dance Against Gender Violence

One Billion Rising is a global campaign founded by Eve Ensler (V-Day movement) using music and dance to end violence against women - referencing the UN statistic that 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. The campaigns anthem Break the Chain (written by Tena Clark, choreography by Debbie Allen) has been translated into 15+ languages. A 2020 anthem We Are Rising by social justice artist Taina Asili celebrates collective resistance. Annual events on February 14th involve millions of activists in 200+ countries dancing and demanding systemic change. Impact includes Guatemala classifying pregnancy under 16 as rape, and Bosnia investigating wartime rapes. Dance is seen as disruptive, joyful artistic resistance that helps survivors reclaim their bodies.

Global (200+ countries), Multi-RegionalWomen of Reproductive Age +1
Music for Social ChangeCommunity Mobilization
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