Radio advocacy in Nepal

Who better to communicate to children than children themselves? This was the thinking behind our radio programme – in which children both create and present the content. This ‘advocacy on the airwaves’ is proving to be an innovative way to create change that ripples out across Nepali society.

What is it?

A child-led and child-run radio programme focusing on children’s rights, available across Nepal

Why is it important?

We work directly with children to help them to devise content, edit it and get it ‘radio-ready’. Children are encouraged to engage through live phone-ins, contributing special reports, singing, poetry and more. Although it’s child-led, the content does not shy away from tough issues – they are currently focusing on sexual abuse.

The radio programme itself is backed up with a ‘listener club’. Club members are supported to run awareness activities in their local communities based on what they’ve learned through the show; creating both on- and off-air child advocates for change.

How does it work?

Educating children on their rights is an important element in getting them ready to exercise them. Without knowing what they are, they cannot press for them to happen. This is something reflecting in our United For Boys Charter, in which we call for a more comprehensive approach to sex information and education as a key commitment we need to make in tackling sexual abuse of boys.

We have been running training for children to be advocates for their rights for many years, but taking this to the radio and listener club format enables them to reach more people, more of the time.