Women’s Dignity uses innovative methods to encourage public debate on health equity, maternal health, and fistula at local, national and international levels. Women’s Dignity supports investigative journalism on our core themes; develops documentary films, photography and media campaigns, and produces a range of print materials on health equity, maternal health and fistula.

Investigative Journalism (IJ)
Women’s Dignity works with journalists across Tanzania to raise public awareness and stimulate debate on issues of health and health rights.

• The Survival Strategies of Machingas is our latest IJ project, where journalists from five cities in Tanzania are talking with street-sellers/street-hawkers, particularly women, about their daily struggles to survive.
• The Living and Working Conditions of Health Workers project focuses attention on improving the living and working conditions of health workers, a key issue in resolving the human resource crisis in health services in Tanzania.
• The Why Women Die in Childbirth and What Should be Done about It project produced 107 reports in print and electronic media about how services can stop women dying in childbirth.

BBC/TVE Documentary: “Dead Mum’s Don’t Cry”
Women’s Dignity made the Swahili film “Wakina Mama Wafu Hawalii” based on the the BBC/TVE film “Dead Mum’s Don’t Cry”. The documentary tells the story of maternal mortality in Chad. The translated Swahili version includes footage of Tanzanian audiences watching the film and debating what should be done to reduce maternal mortality in Tanzania. The screenings and broad distribution of the film have generated debate on the causes and consequences of maternal death, and what should be done to save women’s lives.

National Fistula Campaign
Women’s Dignity coordinates the National Fistula Campaign in Tanzania. The campaign uses radio, targeted distribution of leaflets, and religious networks to spread the message that fistula can be repaired, together with information about where and when fistula services are available. Women’s Dignity develops public education messages on fistula for girls and women, their families and communities, and health service providers, and works with regional radio stations to tailor information on service availability for different regions, which is critical for listeners in remote areas.

TV and Radio Spots
Women’s Dignity produces radio and television spots and features that carry advocacy messages on our core themes. Our first series of spots involved women talking about the barriers they face in accessing quality health services, as well as health workers talking about their problems delivering quality care.