content views in 2019
Recognition has helped Love Matters India secure funding from the Ford Foundation, the Packard Foundation, Ideas 42, and the multi-donor AmplifyChange. This has produced a variety of sub-projects ranging from campaigning against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and working to normalise Comprehensive Sexuality Education (SC) to increasing acceptance for LGBT people.
Taking it to the streets
Offline events are also important. This is where Love Matters gets personal with its audience, creates inspiration, and keeps its finger on the pulse of change. Events are crucial for mobilising young people to take a leadership role, and claim their rights.
A major event in 2019 was The Abortion and Reproductive Rights Fest marking World Safe Abortion Day. A range of activities – storytelling, doctor consultations, performance art, sharing of important resources on abortion rights– meant the fest had something to offer everyone while changing attitudes.
Another successful event in 2019 was Conqueer which brought together diverse stakeholders to assess the issues facing India’s LGBTQ community. The event was well attended by the media and resulted in some concrete recommendations and suggestions by stakeholders from within the different fields.
Love Matters India breaks the silence around sex, cuts through shame and stigma, and proudly talks about pleasure. No mean feat in a country where sex education faces fierce opposition and bans and gender-based violence and harassment are rife.
When Love Matters launched in 2011, it was the first project in India to use the internet to bring young people information on ‘love, sex, relationships and everything in between’.
Nine years later, Love Matters India is available in both English and Hindi and is established as a major SRHR player. As the first Love Matters platform, Love Matters India’s overwhelming success also proved inspirational as the model was adapted for other regions around the world.
At the end of 2019, Love Matters India was the second platform in the programme to become an independent partner in the Love Matters Global Network. Under a social franchise model, Indian NGO Development Corporation is now responsible for implementing Love Matters.
Vithika Yadav
‘We’re saying, if you’re keen and want to get involved and work with us, then yes, we need you! We want these young people as advocates. They need to lead the movement,’
says Love Matters India head Vithika Yadav. Meanwhile, the project continues to experiment with different engagement technologies, piloting podcasts and using techniques such as augmented reality and virtual reality videos.
What is love?
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a widespread problem in India. Social norms are identified as the dominant drivers for IPV in India and victims are often reluctant to seek assistance. The multi-media campaign #KyaYahiPyaarHai aimed to break the taboos around IPV and controlling relationships among young unmarried couples of all genders in India.
A podcast episode about virginity was very useful as it had nice people talking about something important. A radio programme without any visuals actually helps us feel more comfortable about sharing our thoughts and participating in discussions.’ – follower of Love Matters India.
Would you like to join us in creating safe spaces for young people to make informed choices to have safer, healthier and happier sex and relationships? Please contact us to explore the possibilities.
Last month, we had an incredible time at our RNW Media Welcome Event to commemorate our new office space in the Koepel in Haarlem and our 75th anniversary! We were delighted to be joined by a panel of changemakers who shared their experiences using digital media and data to co-create safe digital (civic) spaces for change and advocate for digital rights.
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With the kind support of UNESCO, we are delighted to announce that at RNW Media, we are setting up an online community of practice (CoP) for digital content creators developing and sharing information about sexual and reproductive health well-being, relationships, and much more.
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In the digital age, young people turn to online spaces to find reliable information and plurality of narratives, to participate in political discussions. It is important for us to shed light on the significant digital challenges and opportunities of the African context and to make sure that these are given their due importance in global discussions about digitalisation.
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© LOVE MATTERS | Rita Lino