Artistes across Africa are beginning to realize the importance of the entertainment industry in sensitizing citizens on certain issues that affect them.
Zimbabwean singer and brand ambassador of the National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Adiona Chidzonga is working to use her presence in the music industry to pass on much needed information on family planning and reproductive health across the country.
The jazz artiste said that her involvement in the movement began after she delivered a premature baby a few years ago. This singular experience bolstered her into advocating for family planning and the right medical care for families.
In a statement, she said “As an artiste I feel I should give back to society more so since my music appeals to both the youth and older generation. I started my advocacy work through discussing the issue with my fans on social media and radio interviews”.
“I then decided to incorporate issues of family planning in my art to the extent that whenever I do musical shows, I take ZNFPC banners. To me, family planning is important because it reduces maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases,” she added.
The artiste mentioned that music, in the lives of the current generation plays a huge role and hence, fellow artistes should use that to help stir perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in the right direction especially among the youth.
Chidzonga said artistes and radio show hosts should be active and play a big role in reducing teenage pregnancies.
