Rap song to promote use of condoms releases on World Population Day

On the occasion of World Population Day, the producers of popular transmedia show Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon (MKBKSH), Population Foundation of India (PFI), released a rap song that promotes the use of condoms with the message to young people, especially men, on the need for safe sexual practices, dual protection and male responsibility in family planning. Using an entertaining and engaging format with catchy lyrics, the condom rap is being release through multiple channels under the campaign #CondomBole.

In India, the burden of family planning falls on women.  As per the National Family Health Survey of 2015-16 (NFHS-4), women are the users of nearly 88% of all modern contraceptive methods adopted by currently by women or their partners in the age group of 15 – 49 years. The condom rap addresses men and encourages the use of condoms as contraception and a safe sex practice. The Survey also revealed that three out of every eight men believe that contraception is women’s business and that men should not have to worry about it.

The Economic Survey of 2019-20 released on 4 July makes a strong case for using behaviour change to address social norms. The Survey points out that people’s behaviour is influenced significantly by social norms, and and desired behaviour change can be encouraged by repeated reinforcement and reminders of successful past actions. PFI’s transmedia entertainment show Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon addresses social norms that influence decisions regarding reproductive health, including male participation in family planning and women’s right to take decisions regarding their families.

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of Population Foundation of India says, “Decisions regarding contraception are closely linked to social norms and couples face huge pressures from their families and society to prove their fertility. Also, while there is high knowledge about contraception, adoption of methods, especially by men, is restricted because of many prevailing myths. Through the condom rap, we are telling young people that condoms provide double protection – by preventing unwanted pregnancies and also protecting from sexually transmitted infections”

Feroz Abbas Khan, creative director of MKBKSH says, “The condom rap allows us to talk about contraception and family planning, issues which are treated as taboo and controversial in our society without sounding preachy. The song, with its catchy lyrics and rhythm, will strike the right chord with the youth.”

The condom rap releases on the show’s social media pages on Facebook and Youtube (link). It has also been integrated on #SnehAI – the AI-powered chatbot embedded on the show’s official Facebook page.

MKBKSH is currently in its third season and deals with issues of women’s empowerment and family planning, and airs every Saturday and Sunday on DD National. The edutainment initiative is supported by the Gates Foundation and REC Foundation.