Edutainment Radio, Women's Status and Primary School Participation: Evidence from Cambodia

kdevries — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:07:52 +0000

Author:

Maria Cheung

Publication Date

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Affiliation:

Stockholm University

This paper investigates whether exposure to "edutainment" (education/entertainment) radio leads to improved women's status and primary school participation. Specifically, the author examines a popular radio station focusing on gender issues in Cambodia, the Women's Station FM 102. The author notes that "[m]ost of the literature on edutainment interventions is found within the sociological field using more descriptive data. This is an attempt to establish a causal relationship using quantitative empirical methods on a country-wide dataset."

Contact Information:

Maria Cheung - Stockholm University

Source:

Email from Maria Cheung to The Communication Initiative on May 20 2013. Image Credit: Strey Khmer

HƐrƐ S'ra Radio Drama

kdevries — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:02:25 +0000

Broadcast in the Dioula language, this Burkina Faso radio drama focuses on education of girls, fistula, domestic violence, and gender equality. In April 2012, Population Media Center (PMC), with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), started production on the 156-episode HƐrƐ S'ra ("The Road to Happiness"), which is designed to spread knowledge around population and reproductive health issues, increase contraceptive prevalence, encourage safe motherhood, and improve the status of women.

Communication Strategies:

Using the entertainment-education stategy, HƐrƐ S'ra is broadcast twice weekly over Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB) and 22 community radio stations nationwide throughout Burkina Faso. In preparation for the series, PMC built a recording studio in Ouagadougou, the nation's capital. Kriss Barker, Vice President for International Programs, led PMC staff from across central Africa in the training workshops for local scriptwriters, actors, and producers. Formative research to design the radio drama is followed by quantitative and qualitative research to measure and evaluate the social effects of the drama.

One of the main storylines focuses on gender-based violence (GBV) and gender equality. Tchèkoura, who is 32 years old, runs a small restaurant. His cousin, Pascal, is a shady businessman who is always involved in questionable deals. Pascal is secretly in love with Irene and does everything in his power to force Tchèkoura and Irene apart. He lures Tchèkoura into investing in a fictitious gold mine, which ruins Tchèkoura financially and forces him to lose the restaurant to Pascal, who happily buys it from him at a fraction of its market value. Because of the mounting financial pressure, Tchèkoura begins to beat Irene and actually breaks her arm. She flees to the safety of Tchèkoura's aunt, Madjeliya, and brings Tchèkoura to justice. Meanwhile, Pascal is found guilty of having raped several of the waitresses at the restaurant and is brought to justice. Tchèkoura, for his part, is devastated by what he has done to Irene and begs her to return, vowing to never raise his hand to her in anger again. He is true to his word, and they begin to mend their strained relationship with Madjeliya's help. In the proceedings against Pascal, the scam about the gold mine is discovered, and Tchèkoura is compensated for his financial losses and takes back the restaurant. Irene has started a new business, baking and selling traditional breads. The future looks bright for Irene and Tchèkoura. They buy land and build a house.

Development Issues:

Girls, Women, Gender Equality, Population, Reproductive Health

Key Points:

According to PMC, in Burkina Faso, the barriers to use of modern methods of contraception are largely informational and cultural. Although knowledge of contraceptive methods in Burkina Faso is high (92% of those interviewed know at least one modern method), only 13% of married women are currently using a modern method of contraception. Among sexually active, fertile women in a union, the top reasons for non-use are: the desire for more children (18%); personal, partner, or religious opposition (17%); fear of health effects (10%); and not knowing a method or a source (10%). Cost is cited by only 2.5%, and lack of access is cited by only 0.7%. The annual population growth rate in Burkina Faso is 3.4%, which means that the population (17 million) is doubling every 20 years. PMC asserts that population growth and population dynamics are important challenges that must be addressed in order to reduce poverty and improve overall health and welfare in Burkina Faso.

Partner Text:

PMC, UNFPA

Contact Information:

Kriss Barker - Population Media Center

Source:

PMC Newsletter, Summer 2012; PMC website, May 14 2013; and email from Kriss Barker to The Communication Initiative on May 14 2013.

Strong Women, Strong Voices

kdevries — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:00:05 +0000

To respond to the problem of violence against women in Latin America, in 2011, PCI Media Impact, together with Swedish partner Diakonia, began overseeing production of 3 radio dramas addressing crucial human rights issues for women: Cusco, Peru's "T'ikarinaykipaq Warmi" ("Women Awakens"); Choco, Colombia's "Juntadó, Historias de Río" ("Juntadó, Stories from a River"); and El Alto, Bolivia's "Raices de Violencia" ("Roots of Violence"). Collectively called Strong Women, Strong Voices, these programmes seek to shift the narrative for women in these gender-charged communities.

Communication Strategies:

Radio is a favoured medium in rural communities in Latin America, and Strong Women, Strong Voices weaves together stories using language accessible to both Spanish-speaking and indigenous women. Three separate dramas have been produced and broadcast in Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, telling - in the local language and context - the stories of women overcoming prejudice, abuse, and sexual violence. For example, "Juntado, Stories of the River" is a story about the daily tragedies and joys of an Afro-Colombian community. The drama celebrates the way in which Sara, Yisela, and other women from Juntado confront the violence and machismo rooted in their customs, while exploring the abuse and the complicity provoked by the presence of those involved in the armed conflict. Click here to read the synopses of the 3 programmes and to listen to them online.

Strong Women, Strong Voices places the production process in the hands of the women in Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia. According to organisers, the women and community members who work on these dramas not only share information about ending violence against women but are also learning, firsthand, the power of using communication to motivate change.

To make this experience possible, Strong Women, Strong Voices held 3 radio drama workshops in El Alto, Bolivia, Cusco, Peru, and Quibdó, Colombia, with representatives of grassroots social organisations, local journalists, radio stations, and other groups who were trained in the creation of this entertainment-education (EE) series. In each country, local partners developed and produced a radio soap opera of 24 episodes, adapting to the cultural contexts of each country, reaching an estimated audience of 900,000 people. Since the last season, organisers extended the show, with 26 additional episodes in each country and a new season.

These local dramas are now the foundation of a regional knowledge-sharing network for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and grassroots organisations. The network shares their experiences and strategies in this field, using communication strategies to influence and mobilise public opinion, change policy, and promote access to health services.

Development Issues:

Women, Gender-Based Violence

Key Points:

The United Nations' Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) reports that up to 40% of women in Latin American have suffered as victims of physical violence. The rate is higher for emotional abuse. Violence reached 45% in Colombia, 40% in Bolivia, and 56% in Peru. A lack of commitment to addressing this violence impedes the fulfillment of existing protocols to combat gender-based violence.

In 2013, PCI-Media Impact was presented with the Global Award for Excellence in Communications at the 2nd Annual Avon Communications Awards: Speaking Out About Violence Against Women by actor and activist Salma Hayek-Pinault.

Partner Text:

PCI Media Impact and Diakonia

Contact Information:

Alex J. Cottin - PCI Media Impact

Source:

Email from Alex J. Cottin to The Communication Initiative on May 9 2013.

Impact Evaluation of the Campaign Violence against Women: A Disaster that We Men Can Avoid

Deanna.Brotherston — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:59:55 +0000

Subtitle:

Evaluación del Impacto de la campaña Violencia contra las mujeres: Un desastre que los hombres si podemos evitar

Publication Date

Sunday, January 1, 2012

This impact evaluation in Spanish of the violence against women (VAW) campaign “A Disaster that We Men Can Avoid” from Puntos de Encuentro, Nicaragua, is directed to the men and women of nearly 250 organisations, women's groups, youth groups, news organisations, and local governments that participated in the campaign. The evaluation summarises the main information and assessments of the campaign while answering the question: How did this campaign contribute to the struggle against violence?

Web link:

Click here for the internal search engine and type in "Evaluación del Impacto de la Campaña: "Violencia Contra las Mujeres: Un Desastre que los Hombres Si Podemos Evitar".

Contact Information:

Juritzia Cruz - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email from Irene Lindenhovius to The Communication Initiative on April 12 and May 16 2013.

Multimedia Library on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Adolescents

Deanna.Brotherston — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:49:05 +0000

Subtitle:

Biblioteca Multimedia sobre la Explotación Sexual Comercial de Adolescentes

Author:

Erika Miranda

Teresita Hernández

Evelyn Flores

Publication Date

Publication Date:

Updated monthly

The organisation Puntos de Encuentro compiled this multimedia library on the issue of the commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents as an internationally recognised act of violence. "It affects the integral development of children and teens, causing them physical and psychological damage, acting against their dignity, their integrity, and their self-esteem. As a problem that impacts Central America and the world, it is time to stop it."

Click here to access this Spanish language library online.

Click here to access the bilingual Puntos de Encuentro website.

Publisher:

Puntos de Encuentro para la transformación de la vida cotidiana

Cost:

Materials are available free electronically. To order hard copies of the multimedia library, contact puntos@puntos.org.ni

Languages:

Spanish (Puntos de Encuentro website is available in English)

Contact Information:

Erika Miranda - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email from Irene Lindenhovius of Puntos de Encuentro to The Communication Initiative on April 12 and May 16 2013.

Multimedia Library on Reproductive Rights

Deanna.Brotherston — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:44:37 +0000

Subtitle:

Biblioteca Multimedia sobre los Derechos Reproductivos

Author:

Erika Miranda

Teresita Hernández

Evelyn Flores

Publication Date

Publication Date:

Updated monthly

The organisation Puntos de Encuentro compiled this multimedia library on the issue of reproductive rights. The multimedia library is a compilation of 78 documents in audio, video and text including theoretical analysis, investigations, tools and methodologies for training, legislation, statistical data, systematisations of actions by the women's movement, and sites of interest that may be useful when addressing the issue of reproductive rights.

Click here to access this Spanish language library online.

Click here to access the bilingual Puntos de Encuentro website.

Publisher:

Puntos de Encuentro para la transformación de la vida cotidiana

Cost:

Materials are available free electronically. To order hard copies of the multimedia library, contact puntos@puntos.org.ni

Languages:

Spanish (Puntos de Encuentro website is available in English)

Contact Information:

Erika Miranda - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email from Irene Lindenhovius of Puntos de Encuentro to The Communication Initiative on April 12 and May 16 2013.

Multimedia Library on Sexuality, HIV, and Violence - Biblioteca Multimedia sobre Sexualidad, VIH y Violencia

Deanna.Brotherston — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:35:00 +0000

Author:

Erika Miranda

Martha Juárez

Teresita Hernández

Evelyn Flores

Publication Date

Publication Date:

Updated monthly

The organisation Puntos de Encuentro compiled this multi-media library on the issue of sexuality, HIV, and violence because "sexuality is an essential part of one’s wellbeing and development..., yet in the 21st Century violence against women, adolescent pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted illnesses are on the rise and threatening people’s development, health, and lives… we believe that citizens should have access to reliable information based on the recognition and appropriation of people’s sexual and reproductive rights."

Click here to access this Spanish language library online.

Click here to access the bilingual Puntos de Encuentro

Publisher:

Puntos de Encuentro para la transformación de la vida cotidiana

Cost:

Materials are available free electronically.

Languages:

Spanish (Puntos de Encuentro website is available in English)

Contact Information:

Ana Criquillion Poulhazan - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email to The Communication Initiative from Irene Lindenhovius of Puntos de Encuentro on April 12 2013.

Multimedia Library on Sexual and Reproductive Rights - Biblioteca Multimedia sobre Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:17:57 +0000

Author:

Erika Miranda

Karla Bojorge

Fernando Carcache

Danilo González

Publication Date

Publication Date:

Updated monthly

The organisation Puntos de Encuentro compiled this multi-media library on the issue of sexual and reproductive rights because of an increase in adolescent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, and other sexual and reproductive health issues that are threats to people's development, health, and lives. "In the majority of countries, sexuality is a taboo subject, a synonym with something negative that shouldn't be spoken about.

Click here to access this Spanish language library online.

Click here to access the bilingual Puntos de Encuentro website.

Publisher:

Puntos de Encuentro para la transformación de la vida cotidiana

Cost:

Materials are available free electronically.

Languages:

Spanish (Puntos de Encuentro website is available in English)

Contact Information:

Ana Criquillion Poulhazan - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email from Irene Lindenhovius of Puntos de Encuentro to The Communication Initiative on April 12 2013.

Multimedia Library on Sexual Abuse - Biblioteca Multimedia sobre Abuso Sexual

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:49:06 +0000

Author:

Teresita Hernández

Erika Miranda

Martha Juárez

Vanessa Cortez

Evelyn Flores

María Mercedes Alemán

Fernando Carcache

Publication Date

Publication Date:

Updated monthly

The organisation Puntos de Encuentro compiled this multi-media library on the issue of sexual abuse because "sexual abuse is one of the worst human rights violations committed against women and children, a type of aggression against the integrity of their bodies, minds and spirits. As an information centre, we believe that citizens should have access to reliable information in order to address this problem."

Click here to access this Spanish language library online.

Publisher:

Puntos de Encuentro para la transformación de la vida cotidiana

Cost:

Materials are available free electronically.

Languages:

Spanish (Puntos de Encuentro website is available in English)

Contact Information:

Ana Criquillion Poulhazan - Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Email from Irene Lindenhovius of Puntos de Encuentro to The Communication Initiative on April 12 2013.

Alerta y Pilas Puestas ("Alert and Be Ready")

kdevries — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:58:37 +0000

As part of Foundation Puntos de Encuentro's strategy against commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents (CSEA) (2011-2013), Alerta y Pilas Puestas ("Alert and Be Ready") was launched in 2012 in an effort to build the capacity of adolescents as well as actors in their direct surroundings to contribute to the reduction of the stigma and discrimination related to CSEA in Central America. The primary audience is girls between 13 and 18 years who are not experiencing situations of commercial sexual exploitation but who are at risk of going down that path.

Communication Strategies:

Campaign actions include:

Printed materials: Organisers have used posters, workbooks, and several promotional materials, including displays on public transport units.
Mass communication
- Broadcasting of the TV series Contracorriente (which promotes the importance of mutual respect, communication, and negotiation to solve interpersonal and family conflicts, as well as the importance of social safety nets) in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador - one of its main stories focused on CSEA.
- Live and online broadcasting of the youth radio programme DKY FM, which addresses controversial and taboo issues that affect the lives of Nicaraguan teenagers and youth in what are intended to be entertaining and provocative ways.
- Transmission of a radio series about CSEA.
- Articles published in the feminist magazine La Boletina (nationwide coverage, distributed to organisations and institutions in Nicaragua).
- Thematic insert in national newspaper El Nuevo Diario.
- Transmission of thematic radio and TV spots.
- Promotional and educational printouts (e.g., posters and workbooks).
- Educational toolkit "Change Your World" distributed to organisations, education centres, and institutions that work with adolescents and youth. This toolkit includes: a specialised multimedia library on CSEA (online and in the form of a DVD); a thematic edition of Contracorriente (see the 23-minute video, below); a radio series, ESCApe, focused on CSEA and human trafficking; and methodological guides to work with the audiovisual and radio materials; and
- Virtual/online promotion on websites and social networks.
Public actions
- Nationwide tours on CSEA with the Contracorriente cast, including discussion events at secondary schools, meetings with key actors (public figures, community leaders, etc.) and interviews with the media in Nicaragua and El Salvador (to date).
- Discussion and exchange groups with journalists and a workshop with DKY FM correspondents.
- Discussion groups and encounters between organisations and government institutions.
- Workshops with groups and organisations part of the wider Central American women's movement.

Most of these actions have been co-organised and coordinated with organisations of the wider women's movement, state institutions, networks, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in prevention, attention, penalisation, and social reintegration of victims of sexual violence.

Click here to read a blog entry (in Spanish) that further describes the campaign actions.

Development Issues:

Girls, Rights.

Key Points:

Alerta y Pilas Puestas grew out of a global strategy against CSEA that began in 2011, when Foundation Puntos de Encuentro carried out several actions in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala under the slogan "We Need to be Able to Talk". The aim was to strengthen capacities of those organisations and institutions that work on the prevention of violence against women and to create a favourable public opinion towards adolescent girls who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Throughout 2012, Foundation Puntos de Encuentro reached more than 10,500 people in Nicaragua and El Salvador (5,900 women and 4,600 men - 78% of whom were adolescents) who participated in public activities and video forums in schools and received information about different strategies used by aggressors, procurers, and middlemen, as well as ways to avoid being a victim. According to the organisation, the campaign has received widespread recognition for its contribution to awareness raising and increased intent to act on cases of human trafficking and CSEA.

Contact Information:

Amy Bank - Fundación Puntos de Encuentro

Source:

Emails from Irela Solorzano and Irene Lindenhovius to The Communication Initiative on May 3 2013 and May 6 2013, respectively; and Puntos de Encuentro website, May 6 2013.