Radio Drama Series on Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction Drama... · 2018. 12. 19. · RADIO DRAMA PRODUCTION A field test was carried out where two episodes of the drama series

Radio Drama Series on Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction

UNICEF Nepal

UNICEF Nepal | Communication for Development

CHILD-CENTRED DISASTER RISK REDUCTIONII

UNICEF NEPAL | Communication for Development

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CHILD-CENTRED DISASTER RISK REDUCTION


CONTENTSBackgroundObjectives of the programmeKey messagesDevelopment of the drama Characters and storyLocal contentAudience involvementCoordination and monitoring Survey resultsFloods 2017Promising practices and recommendations Partners and local radio stations

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In 2017, Nepal ranked 144th out of 188 countries rated in the Human Development Index1. Despite improvements over the last decades, many children, young people and adults are still deprived from basic needs. One in ten births are assisted by no one2. One in 25 children in Nepal do not survive to their fifth birthday. More than one-third of children under the age of five are stunted, or too short for their age as a result of chronic undernutrition. Undernutrition in children can have serious, irreversible and lifelong consequences on their development. Seventeen percent of adolescent women aged 15 to 19 are already mothers or pregnant with their first child, whereas many of them are anemic.

Poverty, food insecurity, poor access to services as well as poor infant and child feeding and caring practices, maternal and child infections are some of the key reasons for above mentioned challenges.

Existing vulnerabilities are further intensified due to Nepal’s complex geological formation which makes it highly prone to rapid- as well as slow-onset natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and floods.

Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) plays an important role in addressing existing gaps in knowledge around child-centred disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and in promoting positive attitudes and behaviours.

Aiming to improve the wellbeing of women and children and to increase family and community preparedness for natural hazards, UNICEF collaborated with the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) Asia-Pacific, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) Nepal and Ujyaalo Multimedia Nepal (UMM).

At the core of the ‘Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction’ programme. was an ‘edutainment‘3 radio series located in the imaginary village of ‘Milan Chowk‘. Spread over a year, key messages on maternal and child health and disaster risk reduction were embedded in a national drama. In addition, local content was produced by 16 selected radio stations across the country.

HIGHLIGHTS

52 national episodes in five languages,Nepali, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Khas and Maithili, were produced. The 20-minute episodes on child centred disaster risk reduction, and maternal and child health were broadcasted on a weekly basis.

832 local capsules of a minimum of 10 minutes were produced by 16 radio stations reaching people from 42 districts in their local languages.

32 radio producersreceived capacity building on techniques of story-telling, radio formats, and research linked to locally relevant child wellbeing and community issues. One-on-one mentoring during field visits greatly enhanced their capacities to produce child-centred local content.

88 percent of the audience who participated in a feedback survey reported taking concrete actions after listening to the programme.

ABBREVIATIONSACORAB Association of Community Radio Broadcasters NepalAMARC World Association of Community Radio BroadcastersC4D Communication for DevelopmentCBO Community Based OrganizationCCDRR Child-Centred Disaster Risk ReductionDDC District Development Committees DRR Disaster Risk ReductionIEC Information Education CommunicationKII Key Informant InterviewLQAS Lot Quality Assurance SamplingMCH Maternal and Child HealthVDC Village Development CommitteesPSA Public Service AnnouncementsUMM Ujyaalo Multimedia Nepal

BACKGROUND

1 UNDP, http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/HDI, accessed 20182 All data of this paragraph are extracted from: Ministry of Health, Nepal; New ERA; and ICF. 2017. Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Kathmandu, Nepal: Ministry of Health, Nepal3 Entertainment with the purpose of providing educational information to the target audience.

CONTENTS PAGE: © UNICEF/2018/RVetsch - Producer Laxmi Neupane from Radio Nari Awaj interviews a representative from the local government in Jumla.

RIGHT: © UNICEFNepal/2017 (Screenshot of video: Nepal Earthquake: Communication for Development Response) - A girl listening to radio.

© United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nepal Country Office Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication. Permission will be freely granted to educational or non-profit organizations.

Published by:Communication for Development Section, UNICEF Nepal UN House, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal

August 2018



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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEThe primary objectives of the edutainment radio series ‘Milan Chowk‘ were to positively impact knowledge, attitudes and practices among families and communities and to build the capacity of local radio stations in producing programme content with a focus on child-centred disaster risk reduction (DRR) and maternal and child health including nutrition.

KEY MESSAGESA weekly 20-minutes radio programme was created in four languages around key messages and critical information focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, hygiene as well as DRR. The story was created around topics of the day-to-day life of villagers, taking into account the seasonal and geographical characteristics of Nepal. In addition, 10-minutes locally produced capsules were created to further adapt the messages to the local context and languages and to ensure participation and engagement at the local level.

• Nutrition: Optimal nutrition and iron folic acid supplementation for pregnant women;

• Pregnancy: Nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, antenatal check-ups and care, danger signs during pregnancy, institutional delivery, birthing plan, role of the husband;

• Good parenthood: Exclusive breastfeeding, post-natal care, newborn care, role of husband, early child stimulation, birth registration, birth spacing, growth monitoring, complementary feeding;

• Disease prevention and treatment: Diarrhoea, safe hygiene practices and safe disposal of child's feces, child immunisation.

• Cold wave: Wear layers of clothes, ensure children are warm and dry, drink hot soups, use warm water for bathing;

• Earthquake preparedness: Evacuation plan, keeping ‘Go-Bag‘ ready, building earthquake resistant buildings and following building codes, knowledge of earthquake drill of ‘Drop, Cover and Hold on‘;

• Fire: Precautionary measures to stop fires, ways to extinguish fires;

• First aid: Learning basic first aid treatment procedures, keeping first aid kit ready;

• Floods: Preparing evacuation plan, early warning system, knowledge about safeguarding against water-borne and vector-borne diseases, hygiene and sanitation;

• Landslides: Knowledge about afforestation, terrace farming in the hills, warning signs of landslides;

• Lightening: Learning precautious measures during lightning: Seek shelter in low area, stay away from power lines, avoid water, electronic equipment, corded phones, contact with anything metal, stay away from doors and windows;

• Wildfire: Dangers of wildfire during dry seasons, prevention measures.

• Separation of children and human trafficking: Helplines, referral mechanisms, legal information and official procedures of migration;

• Stress and mental health: Triggers and coping mechanisms for emotional stress during disasters, lack of privacy;

• Interruption of education;

• Early marriage and eloping (self-initiated early marriage): Legislation, helplines, impact on health;

• Participation rights: Child Rights Act, youth participation and empowerment.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH DISASTER RISK REDUCTION PROTECTION

CHANGING ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS AT INDIVIDUAL LEVELAddressing individual knowledge, attitudes and behaviours linked to maternal and child health, disaster risk reduction and other relevant issues through mass media and social media outreach.

Expected results• Increased knowledge of caregivers in 42 districts

around issues related to child-centred DRR including maternal and child health through an interactive radio drama series.

CAPACITY BUILDING OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL PRODUCERSStrengthening capacities of local radio stations and creating linkages among them at regional and national level; empowering radio producers to raise awareness on key issues related to the wellbeing of children, youth and their communities through trainings, knowledge exchange and mentoring.

Expected results• Capacity of 16 local radios built to produce programme

contents on child-centred DRR by involving and reaching out to the local community.

The programme was focussing on 14 earthquake-affected districts and 28 districts that were prioritized by the government in its Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan1 due to their high deprivation index regarding child health and wellbeing.

1 National Planning Commission Nepal. 2012, http://www.nnfsp.gov.np/PortalContent.aspx?Doctype=Resources&ID=20, accessed 2018

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD

28 prioritized districts

Achham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Bara, Bardiya, Dadeldhura, Dailekh, Dhanusha, Dolpa, Doti, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot, Kapil-vastu, Khotang, Mahottari, Mugu, Nawalparasi, Panchthar, Parsa, Rautahat, Rolpa, Rukum, Saptari, Sarlahi, Udayapur.

Earthquake-affected districts

Bhaktapur, Dhading, Dolakha, Gorkha, Kathmandu, Kavre, Lalit-pur, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Okhald-hunga, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sidhuli, Sindhupalchowk

Epicenter of 2015 earthquake,April 25, 2015, 7.8 on Richter scale

LEFT: © UNICEF/UNI192900/Shrestha Ganga and Jamuna, twin daughters of Manju Malla, are asleep in their shawl hammock in Bijulidanda of Gorkha district. Gorkha was one of the most devastated districts and most mothers had lost their homes following destruction by the earthquake. They were living in constant fear of earthquake, and their state of mind had worsened due to frequent aftershocks, which also affected their practice of breastfeeding.

http://www.nnfsp.gov.np/PortalContent.aspx?Doctype=Resources&ID=20



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DEVELOPMENT OF THE DRAMADESIGN DOCUMENTA design document was developed with the content outline for 52 episodes. A workshop was held to ensure that the identified key messages on maternal and child health and disaster risk reduction were integrated into the document in a systematic way.

WRITERS AND PRODUCERS WORKSHOPSWith the aim of developing a story line, sub-plots and lead characters for the radio drama series, ten selected writers participated in a five-day workshop. Various creative exercises enhanced the capacities of writers to devise settings, plots, and characters for the radio drama series.

ARTISTS WORKSHOP The workshop provided artists an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the project and storyline and improve their skills in voice modulation, in how to internalize the characters and how to deliver the dialogues convincingly. A second artists’ workshop was held after the first half of the programme to enhance dialogue delivery and emoting of the artists.

RADIO DRAMA PRODUCTIONA field test was carried out where two episodes of the drama series were narrow-casted1 to a group of community members. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD)2 was carried out to evaluate if they liked the story and the characters, and whether they could recall the key messages. Feedback from the FGD was crucial in shaping the drama and its messages. 1 Broadcasting an episode to a narrowly defined audience for their feedback. 2 A technique used to gather feedback from a group of people with specific characteristics, background or experi-ences to discuss a particular topic of interest.

LANGUAGE VERSIONSThe drama was translated from Nepali into the four most popular languages of the targeted districts: Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Khas and Maithali. Where appropriate, the content was adapted to the regional situation to further increase identification of the audience with the characters and story line.

MILAN CHOWK

The radio drama ‘Milan Chowk‘ was set in the imaginary villages of Deupur and Chitranagar. The villages were connected by a bailey bridge over the Ghanghara River that flowed inbetween. Milan Chowk was a junction where people from Deupur and Chitranagar crossed paths, came together to discuss different issues and hold communal meetings.

The majority of the inhabitants of Chitranagar migrated from the Terai, the lowlands in the southern part of Nepal. On the other hand, most residents of Deupur migrated from the hilly region. The characters represented people from different social and economic backgrounds, and included homemakers, students, vegetable vendors, electricians and engineers to stone crusher owners and those who just sat by Milan Chowk and gossiped. All of the characters inspired positive change in their own ways.

Both villages were affected by devastating earthquakes. Much of the Milan Chowk series revolved around why disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness are the best strategies to deal with natural hazards. Building communal harmony was a second overreaching topic that brought in issues such as risks linked to foreign employment, eloping or the use of social media.

Narrator as character of the drama series

A unique feature of the drama series was the use of a ‘Shutradhaar‘, a thread bearer, as a key character of the story and at the same time as the narrator. While being a part of the story, the character of Junge Kaka also provided background information on other characters of Milan Chowk and the stories about the two villages. He directly addressed the listeners and told them all the juicy bits of the story, often sharing his personal opinion. As such, the character directly responded to the interest of Nepali people to listen to stories, especially related to people who they might meet in their everyday life.

Listener surveys conducted as part of this programme found Junge Kaka to be one of the most loved characters. He was often associated with the know-all villager from their community who takes great pride in sharing everything with everyone.

W hen I heard the promos mentioning

a place called ‘Milan Chowk‘ on the banks of the river, I thought it referred to a place of the same name in Birgunj, close to the river where people gather to chat. Since then, I can relate well to the ‘Milan Chowk‘ programme and listen to it as often as I can.“

Simnath YadavBirgunj

BELOW: Facebook Promo displaying a conversation between Januka and Sohan, characters of the drama.



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Kaushalya and Ramananda

They migrated from the Terai region to Chitranagar and are the parents of Pabitra, Mohan and Sohan. They are very understanding and treat their daughters-in-law Januka and Priyanka like their own daughters. They don’t discriminate between the two, even though Januka doesn’t belong to their community whereas Priyanka does. Kaushalya is very observant and sees how Priyanka always tries to suppress Januka.

Mohan and Sohan

They are Pabitra’s younger brothers. Mohan, the older of the two, works as an engineer in Chitranagar and Sohan works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

PriyankaPriyaka is Mohan’s wife and excessively jealous of Sohan’s wife, Januka. She thinks that her in-laws prefer Januka to her and she can’t stand the fact that Januka gave birth to a baby boy while she has a daughter.

Januka

Januka and Sohan met via social media, fell in love, and got married. She is gentle and loving, and feels fortunate to have found a husband like Sohan and in-laws like Kaushalya and Ramananda. She lives with her in-laws while Sohan is working in Dubai.

Devanand

Devanand is in his late twenties and is a friend of Sohan. He has gone through many ups and downs in his life. He is in deep financial trouble because Manoj pocketed a large sum of money from him promising foreign employment but sent him to a fake company. After his attempt to earn a living by opening up a vegetable stall fails, he supports Sujata as an electrician.

Junge Kaka

He is the Shutradhaar, the thread-bearer of the drama series and in his late fifties. Junge Kaka lost his family and his house during the 2015 earthquakes. Nonetheless, he is always cheerful, takes deep interest in people around him and knows everything about everyone. He is often found in Milan Chowk, telling stories of people living in Chitranagar and Deupur. He is not interested in rebuilding his house whereas other characters are constantly trying to convince him to start rebuilding soon.

Sujata aka Bijuli Didi

A middle aged woman, Sujata is an aspirational and inspiring character, standing out by her confidence and no-nonsense attitude. She is married to Bikal, who used to work as an electrician. After an electrical accident, he could no longer work due to his disability. Sujata took over his place and now works as a highly skilled electrician in the village - giving her the nickname: Bijuli Didi. Bijuli stands for light and Didi is generally the word used for an older sister. With an experience in Karate, she doesn’t shy away from

resorting to physical interventions if need be. Bikal and Sujata are parents of a teenage daughter Binda.

Manoj

Manoj is a middle-aged man. His family migrated from the Hill region to Deupur. He is an influential contractor in the village in spite of only having enjoyed a formal education until class 8. His main aim in life is to make money by hook or by crook, establishing him as a negative character in the drama series. Having pocketed a large sum of Devanand’s money in the guise of sending him abroad for employment, he is in constant conflict with him. As Devanand supports Sujata, Manoj also starts disputing with her. However, he is not all ‘black’ as a character. Despite differences with his wife, Pabitra, he loves his family. He gives in to his daughter‘s desire for further education even though he is not supportive of girls’ higher education. He even takes pride in the fact that Pabitra has a Bachelor’s degree.

Pabitra

She is gentle in her ways and never stops advocating for women’s education. Despite being equipped with an undergraduate degree, she has been restricted from pursuing a career by Manoj, her husband. While she has no qualms about her life, she doesn’t want their daughter Sukumari to follow her suit.

Sukumari

Sukumari is the teenage daughter of Pabitra and Manoj.

She is smart and tech-savvy and aims to become a scientist. She is smart, loves exploring the world through the Internet and has answers to everything, thanks to her exposure to the World Wide Web. This is why friends and teachers nick-named her Suchana-Kumari. Suchana is Nepali for information, and Kumari refers to her name as well as ‘not being married‘.

Main Characters

T he beauty of Milan Chowk lies in the use of simple language. The drama content is relevant to the present times and there are many characters the audience can easily relate to.

Even though aspirational characters like Sujata and Ramananda are still very much unlike women and fathers-in-law in our community, they have been presented in very convincing way. I have heard many women, some of them in my own family, express their wish to become as bold and confident as Sujata.“

Raj DilanjaliTheatre artist, Panchthar

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SELECTION OF RADIOSSixteen local community radios across Nepal were shortlisted based on their transmission capacity, districts covered, technical capacity, gender balanced human resources, efficiency and experience in producing programmes in local language(s).

TRAINING MANUALA training manual was produced, including following three elements: 1) Thematical content on maternal and child health and disaster risk reduction; 2) Guidance on programme production based on key messages. This section included techniques of story-telling, radio formats, and research tips and encouraged producers to actively engage in field-based research; 3) Guidance on creating a link between the 20-minute centrally produced fictional drama and the 10-minute locally produced content based on real life stories from the field.

ONGOING TRAININGThirtytwo producers were trained in child-sensitive reporting and guided in producing local content. Every episode of the 16 partner radio stations was reviewed by AMARC in order to make sure that the messages were delivered in a gender-transformative and child-sensitive language and to provide ongoing mentoring to the producers.

Local Content

Thoroughly reviewing each and every content produced by partner community radios was a new practice for us. It was time consuming, but we have not only witnessed great

improvement in the quality of their content over time but this practice has also helped to better our relationship with the community radios. This is something we would like to continue in future projects also.“

Ram Chandra Lamichhane, Executive Director, ACORAB

There are many radio dramas and programs that I never miss and

people are often surprised at my obsession over radio. Programs like Milan Chowk further cement my belief that radio is an agent of change.

The radio series not only addresses health and sanitation issues, but also natural disasters. These issues are very relevant to our country. Through characters like Sujata, Devananda and Junge Kaka, Milan Chowk encourages us to take responsibility to improve our lives without relying on the government or somebody else.

I believe that characters like Sukumari and her friends have helped young girls like myself to understand many aspects of growing up as a woman.

I tell my younger sisters and cousins, who are normally on their mobile phones during their free time, to listen to Milan Chowk instead. In the beginning, they were not very enthusiastic but after listening to a few episodes, they got hooked. Now they even record or download the series for me when I am busy during the broadcasting time.

Maya Chaudhary, 24-year-old postgraduate student of

Rural Development, Nepalgunj

At the end of the project, special prizes were given to reward producers in following categories: Innovation, creativity and originality in content; Consistency

in production; Proactivity and taking initiative; Effort and improvisation; Coordination and teamwork; Well researched local issues; General improvement in

production; Teamwork and effort; and maintaining stock of local content and timely submission.

To provide motivation to the partner radios to improve content, quality and timeliness of the local content, an evaluation committee identified a ‘Radio producer of the month‘. The winner was awarded 10,000 Nepalese Rupees (equivalent to 100 US dollars) and announced through the Community Information Network (CIN) reaching out to over 300 community radios in Nepal. Despite the prize money being a significant amount for this generally low-paid job, the producers indicated that the biggest driving factor was the recognition amongst their peers.

BEST PRODUCER OF THE MONTH

BELOW: © AMARC/2017/PChhetri - Focus group discussion in Nawalparasi, Province 5.

BELOW: Facebook Promo displaying Junge Kaka.

GRAND PRIZE

What I love about Milan Chowk is the fact that it

provides us with solutions instead of just stating the problems.“



AUDIENCE INVOLVEMENTReceiving feedback from the audience and embedding it in the Milan Chowk radio series was an integral part of the programme design to ensure that messages were relevant and useful to people living in the targeted districts and to understand the current knowledge and perception related to issues raised in the series.

An audience feedback form was designed and included as part of the training manual for producers to be used by the local radio partners. The mechanism was put in place right from the beginning of the project and helped collect information on both, the national drama series and the local content. In addition, forms were designed to systematically record feedback received via SMS, emails, phone calls, social media or in person.

Interviews with community members, so-called voxpops, and group discussions held during the recap episodes of Milan Chowk provided further feedback. Likewise, focus

group discussions and Key Informant Interviews (KII)1 held during the field and mentoring visits were part of the audience feedback mechanism.

Outreach

Promotional activities were carried out through social media posts on Milan Chowk’s official Facebook page, Ujyaalo online and ‘Hamro Patro‘, a popular app among Nepalis.

Listeners prize

A contest was set up to further encourage listeners’ engagement and promote the drama series and its Facebook page. Each month, listeners‘ answers from all 16 stations were collected and one winner was awarded with a radio set.

1 A technique used to gather feedback from individuals with specific characteristics, back-ground or experiences to discuss a particular topic of interest.

In order to facilitate smooth communication between the project partners and to ensure timely accomplishment of project activities, regular partner meetings were held since the inception of the project. Given the tight time schedule of the programme, regular exchange was key in keeping everything on track especially during the pre-production phase.

During the second phase of the programme, ongoing visits were conducted by AMARC and UNICEF staff to observe field level implementation and provide guidance where needed. Interactions with the audience were another important element to gather direct feedback on the relevancy and impact of messages passed on to adjust local and national content if needed.

COORDINATION AND MONITORING

Local radio stations ensured that feedback forms were filled out on a quarterly basis. In total, 407 forms were collected.

1 Please note: The data was collected by local radio producers who were engaged in the project and hence should only be seen as indicative and part of a process to build their capacity to objectively assess the quality and relevance of their programmes, as well as measure the difference that their work made in their communities.

SURVEY RESULTS

CHARACTERS94 percent could name the characters and why they liked them.

Most liked characters were:• Sujata aka Bijuli didi for representing

an empowered, hardworking, strong and courageous woman who works towards the wellbeing of others.

?• Junge Kaka for his presentation and narration skills. • Sukumari for her knowledge and internet skills she

used for supporting others, for her inspirational attitude and strong belief in education.

• Devanand for his social engagement, his singing skills and his cheerful character.

• Januka for her positive attitude and her efforts to keep the extended family together.

LISTENERSHIP

9 out of 10 interviewed respondents (n=367) had listened to Milan Chowk, 4 out of 10 on a weekly basis.

Hasta ChaulagainProgramme Producer, Radio Chankheli, Kalikot

I have been producing radio programmes on health issues for a long time, but it was only after working on Milan Chowk that I developed the habit of reading

and doing good research before producing a programme. I have learned so much about health now that I feel like a sano-tino (‘mini‘) doctor myself.”

of the active listeners rated the drama and local content as good.96 percent rated the content relevant for their daily lifes. 97

QUALITY & RELEVANCE

RETENTIONThe most recalled messages from Milan Chowk were on earthquake and flood preparedness, negative impacts of child marriage, importance of education especially for girls and healthy practices and nutritious food during pregnancy.

Every second respondent was between 20 and 30 years old. 61% of respondents who indicated their gender (n=332) were female.

BEHAVIOUR88 percent of the listeners who responded to the question (n=307) indicated that they changed their behaviour. This included promoting regular check ups and nutritious food during pregnancy and early childhood as well as active involvement of different family members, adapting a positive attitude towards ending child marriage and preparing better for disasters.

ABOVE: © UNICEF Nepal/2018/RVetsch - Monitoring visit with AMARC and ACORAB in Jumla district.

RIGHT: © UNICEF Nepal/2018/RVetsch - Producer Hasta Chaulagain interacts with local youth in Kalikot to gather input on Milan Chowk.

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PROMISING PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Private-sector partnership

One of the most unique features of this project was the partnership between community and commercial broadcasting organizations, the first of its kind in Nepal. Ujyaalo Multimedia Nepal produced the 52 drama episodes, ACORAB mobilized community radio stations to ensure that the messages incorporated in Milan Chowk reached everyone in the targeted communities; and AMARC Asia-Pacific ensured smooth implementation of all project activities and facilitated communication between involved stakeholders.

Local content in regional languages

Providing key messages in four widely spoken local languages in addition to Nepali was highly valued by both, listeners and stakeholders. It increased identification with the radio drama as listeners could strongly relate to the characters and settings of the drama. In addition, the 10-minute local radio magazine programme complementing the national drama series brought afore voices of the community concerning the issues raised in the drama.

Intensive mentoring and review

Weekly review of the local content at central level and mentoring visits with hands-on training components ensured that delivered messages were correct and in a gender-transformative and child-sensitive language,

and further build the capacities of the radio programme producers.

The close collaboration between the mentees and mentors resulted in producers recognizing the value of thorough research as the basis of a quality radio episode. It had a positive impact on listenership and audience involvement and led to radios taking ownership of the programme. Some local radios extended the duration from the planned 10 minutes to 15 up to 25 minutes depending on the topic. They adapted messages of the central drama to the local realities and needs and different radio stations started experimenting with newer formats and produced their own local dramas infused with traditional music and songs.

Use of incentives

The programme design included two competitions: 1) A listeners prize aiming to increase the reach and engagement and measure the retention rate of key messages; and 2) A monthly prize for radio producers for outstanding local capsules. The feedback survey showed, that the provision of a radio as listeners’ prize encouraged more listeners to tune in to Milan Chowk. Producers on the other hand emphasized that the recognition among peers was a greater motivator than the allocated prize money.

Heavy rains in mid-August 2017 caused significant flooding in the Terai region, the southern lowlands of Nepal, and several landslides in the hill areas. Over 100,000 families were displaced and 1.7 million people were affected in 26 districts. The floods and inundations caused heavy loss in housing, health, education, agriculture, livestock, irrigation, transport, water and sanitation and energy sectors.

The episode plan, in alignment with the potential natural hazards occuring in Nepal, included extensive content on floods and landslides. Given the scale of the floods, it was decided that episode 17 of Milan Chowk on floods would be re-broadcasted.

Furthermore, during the refreshers’ training held in August, the participating radio stations drafted and shared a comprehensive action plan to produce effective content on floods and landslides in the following days and weeks. These local contents were not only broadcasted as part of Milan Chowk, but also as part of their daily broadcasting. Unfortunately, some programme producers could not join because of damaged infrastructure.

In addition to above, the radio programme was broadcasted in 11 priority districts affected by the floods. Community radios received support in addressing the information and relief needs of the flood survivors, in increasing awareness, information sharing and broadcasting critical messages on sanitation, hygiene and prevention of waterborne diseases. Feedback was collected from affected communities on their needs and

satisfaction with relief distribution. The data was analysed and centrally shared with all involved radio stations.The gaps were addressed in various radio programmes, requesting accountability from the respective duty bearers at local levels.

FLOODS 2017

BELOW: © UNICEF/UN076305/Jung - A woman carrying a boy overlooking a vast stretch of flood waters in Kulari Village in Saptari District. Three days of uninterrupted rain had caused large-scale flooding in the southern areas of Nepal.



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PARTNERS

Amaragadi FM, Dadeldhura Appan FM, SaptariCommunity Radio Seti, Bhajang Eagle FM, Panchthar Jankai FM, Dhanusha Kohinoor FM, Rautahat

Narayani FM, Parsa Radio Bajura, Bajura Radio Buddha Awaj, KapilvastuRadio Chankheli, KalikotRadio Nari Awaj, JumlaRadio Parasi, Nawalparasi

Radio Rudrakshya, Mahhotari Radio Society, AchhamRupakot FM, KhotangSaughat FM, Baitadi

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) promotes the values of community broadcasting as an alternative to the other media models. For AMARC, the broadcast media are a means by which women and men can work to improve their livelihoods, to defend and request their rights and to participate in political life. The AMARC Asia Pacific regional office, established in 2005, is closely working with its members and partner organisations across the region to implement activities aimed at promoting freedom of expression, supporting community development and developing resilient communities.

http://amarc-ap.org

The Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) was established in 2002 as an autonomous and politically non-partisan organization. Around 315 community radio stations spread across 77 districts of Nepal form the core membership of the association. ACORAB aims to advance the cause of community radios, facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources, and represents all registered community radios at national level.

www.acorab.org.np

Ujyaalo is one of the largest Private Radio Networks of Nepal with more than 220 partner radio stations across the country, reaching around 80 percent of the geography and people.

http://ujyaaloonline.com

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

RIGHT: © UNICEF/2018/RVetschProducer Dil Maya Shahi from Radio

Nari Awaj interviews local women in Jumla.

http://amarc-ap.org

https://www.acorab.org.np/

http://ujyaaloonline.com

© UNICEF/2018/RVetschProducer Laxmi Neupane from Radio Nari Awaj interviews local women in Jumla for the local capsule.

Documents

Radio Drama Series on Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction Drama... · 2018. 12. 19. · RADIO DRAMA PRODUCTION A field test was carried out where two episodes of the drama series