Radio Netherlands Worldwide wants to break the taboos surrounding sexuality and sexual health around the world. Today the Dutch international service officially launched its internet platform Love Matters, which highlights sexual issues in a journalistic way in various languages.
The English-language website aimed at India has been on air since late last year. Next month, a Hindi version for India and a Spanish-language version for Latin America will be launched. In the spring of 2012, they will be followed by a French and English-language website focussing on Africa.
Taboos
Sexual taboos can lead to things like unsafe abortions and assaults on homosexuals. As every country has its own set of sexual taboos, local experts are consulted on issues before articles appear on the Love Matters site. In addition, Radio Netherlands Worldwide cooperates with local media partners to ensure the information reaches as many young people as possible.
Sexual taboos can lead to things like unsafe abortions and assaults on homosexuals. As every country has its own set of sexual taboos, local experts are consulted on issues before articles appear on the Love Matters site. In addition, Radio Netherlands Worldwide cooperates with local media partners to ensure the information reaches as many young people as possible.
In India, RNW is working with the country’s largest telecom provider, Reliance Communications. There is lots of interest in the site from media partners in India. “The first results in India are good, with 60,000 hits per day,” says RNW Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen.
Free speech
Mr Rensen thinks Love Matters is a good example of the kinds of activities the Dutch international broadcaster will be involved in in the future. As of 2013, its core task will be to focus on free speech. “In many countries there is a huge information deficit in the area of sexuality, sexual health, forced marriage, sexual oppression, homosexuality and so on. Large media organisations in India are reluctant to tackle sexual matters, but they can work with us. The same goes for NGOs in India.”
Free speech
Mr Rensen thinks Love Matters is a good example of the kinds of activities the Dutch international broadcaster will be involved in in the future. As of 2013, its core task will be to focus on free speech. “In many countries there is a huge information deficit in the area of sexuality, sexual health, forced marriage, sexual oppression, homosexuality and so on. Large media organisations in India are reluctant to tackle sexual matters, but they can work with us. The same goes for NGOs in India.”
Policy priority
There is a great deal of openness in The Netherlands about sexuality. The government department for Development Cooperation has even included sexual and reproductive health as one of four policy priorities.
There is a great deal of openness in The Netherlands about sexuality. The government department for Development Cooperation has even included sexual and reproductive health as one of four policy priorities.
(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
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