3R Television Programme - Malaysia

Three young women host the half-hour television programmes, which air Sundays and Fridays. A central feature of the programmes is interviews with young people actually struggling with whatever challenge is being explored. For example, Episode 6 ("Women and Drugs") focusses on the issue of substance abuse and debunks the myths and facts concerning drugs. 3R takes a trip to neighbouring Indonesia to hear personal stories from several young recovering addicts currently undergoing rehabilitation. Similarly, the episode entitled "Inter-racial Friendships" examines stereotypes - why and how they are formed - through three personal profiles. The message in this episode is that we have all been guilty of prejudice at one time or another; pointing fingers at others is not an effective way to address the problem. Past episodes may be viewed on the 3R website.

The 3R website is also designed to urge viewers to share their perspectives on episodes like these and to communicate with each other through a bulletin board. The site also describes events that 3R engages in as part of its work. For example, on March 8, 2003 3R collaborated with two women's NGOs (Women's Aid Organisation and All-Women's Action Group, AWAM) to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) in Kuching, Sarawak state, Malaysia. To support the theme, which was "Find Out, Speak Up, Take Action", 3R encouraged women to find out about their rights, speak their minds, and take action against violent behaviour toward women. The event featured information booths by various NGOs on women's issues, legal rights, and HIV/AIDS. It also featured a "clothesline" with stories and messages about violence against women, a cheer competition, and a concert highlighting new Malaysian performers speaking about violence against women. In the days leading up to IWD, the 3R hosts and facilitators from AWAM conducted workshops in six Kuching schools on rape awareness, stimulating discussion about gender issues, debunking myths about gender stereotypes, and providing information about self-defense.

Women, Rights, Conflict, Health, Family Planning, HIV/AIDS, Gender.

3R is jointly produced by Mosaique Communications Sdn Bhd and Red Communications Sdn Bhd.

3R won the 2002 Asian TV Award for Best Infotainment Programme.