Implemented in accordance with Namibia's National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, the Take Control Campaign is a large-scale communication campaign using radio, television, print media, and events. Coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting through a Task Force, the campaign aims to:

• role-model specific HIV prevention behaviours by young people, parents, extended family members, and service providers.
• empower youth to make informed choices about sexual relationships by ensuring that adults are aware of the specific information, skills, and services helpful in protecting young people from HIV infection.
• engender support and understanding for people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans, and vulnerable children and survivors of abuse.
• provide information about sexual health rights to young people and older age groups to facilitate positive behaviour choices.
• develop with the active participation of young people messages focussed on communication between partners and positive role-modeling behaviours to parents and service providers.
• develop and distribute printed materials in English and local languages.

Main Communication Strategies
Using the slogan "take control" and focussing on the rights of young people, the campaign uses posters, leaflets, information bulletins, metal red ribbons, stickers, coasters, T-shirts, and television and radio adverts. The radio adverts are broadcast for free by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, national broadcaster, and by most private radio stations.

Campaign organisers occasionally launch an intensification month. At these times, efforts to communicate the message are stepped up through strategies including radio quiz competitions, special events, and print adverts. For example, in December 2000, August 2001, and November 2001, seven public and private radio stations hosted competitions. Take Control T-shirts printed with radio station logos served as prizes for the one-month Take Control quiz competitions. These activities were funded by UNICEF and USAID. In addition, the Task Force, in partnership with the Namibian Broadcast Corporation, supported live broadcasts and quiz competitions from information booths at national and regional trade fairs.

These activities, in addition to television discussions and documentaries about HIV/AIDS (including Lydia's Room, Hans and Ultrike, Mr. Positive, and Speak outs), are designed to prepare Namibians for the yearly World AIDS Day. A number of activities were conducted to celebrate the 2002 event through a partnership with the Namibian Planned Parenthood Association. For instance, the NGO Ombetja Yehinga (the Red Ribbon) sponsored the production of a series of HIV/AIDS T-shirts developed by University of Namibia (UNAM) art students. Another NGO, FAWENA, under sponsorship of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) created an AIDS quilt with the help of local schoolchildren. Workshops were also conducted; in addition to a workshop organised by the Legal Assistance Centre on Stigma and Discrimination, sessions were held for Parliamentarians (on the need for treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS) and for journalists (on the sexual and reproductive health of youth).