We are working in partnership with Cambodian radio stations and a young team of Cambodian women to produce a radio programme designed to get 18-20 year old girls talking about reproductive and sexual health.
Start date: 2006
End date: 2009
Media type: radio
Issue: health
Country: Cambodia
I would end things with my boyfriend if he asked me to have sex without a condom.
17 year old female caller
'Hip Hop Girls' is the only radio programme in Cambodia especially made for girls. It is a weekly phone-in programme broadcast on Saturday morning on FM 103, the country's leading FM station.
Never heard
In traditional Cambodian society, women are expected to be silent, shy and not talk back to men.
We have to tell our own story.
Sun Sam Ol, radio producer, Hip Hop Girl
Yet, more than 60% of the callers to the 'Hip Hop Girls' programme are female, and most of them are aged 18-20.
"Girls' voices are put on air by 'Hip Hop Girls' - we have to tell our own story." says Sun Sam Ol, radio producer, Hip Hop Girls.
Talking about sex
Empowering women with something as simple as talk is one of the objectives of a programme that encourages young women to talk about sex and HIV and AIDS.
"I would end things with my boyfriend if he asked me to have sex without a condom."
Female caller, 17 years old
In the past, a girl would be considered a "bad girl'' if she read about or talked about sexual and reproductive health even with her friends and her family.
Hip Hop Girls aims to help 15-20 year old women develop the skills to negotiate safe sex.
Research suggests that 15-20 year olds are twice as likely as other age groups to call radio programmes.
Given that 58% of the Cambodian population is under 21, a large audience is assured.
The presenters
The presenters of 'Hip Hop Girls' are both young Cambodian women - both aged 18 years old.
The program doesn't just cover health topics -subjects including virginity, values, stress and other issues affecting girls in Cambodia today are also covered.
