GESS TRAINS RADIO PRODUCERS

Radio is a powerful tool. Even with the developments in technology where people can access information through the internet, radio still stands out as a more accessible and reliable source of information in South Sudan. In South Sudan, about 74% of the people rely on the radio as the primary source of information. (GESS Behaviour Change Communication Midline National Survey).

As part of our Behaviour Change Communication, GESS produces a 15-minutes factual radio programme, ‘Our School’, that airs on 30 radio stations across the country. The radio programme, which targets learners, parents, community leaders, and teachers, is intended to address issues that prevent girls from joining school and completing their education.

The ‘Our School’ radio programme is produced in different local languages by producers based in the States.

We believe behaviour change is key in addressing some of the societal biases towards girls’ education. “If people change believing that girls are only meant to be married… If people start believing that both boys and girls deserve equal opportunities in education, then we will say there is progress because some of these behaviours are cultural,” a GESS Radio Producer said.

GESS held a 10 days-long refresher training for the radio producers in Juba from 21^st to 31^st March 2022, to improve their production skills. The training focused on production techniques and how producers can simplify difficult messages for all their audiences.

GESS continues to support radio producers to produce content that can impact listeners’ lives. “You know, the programmes we produce are factual, based on real issues and real experiences. When you tell people what is happening, it is easy for somebody listening to that story to have a takeaway from it or relate to it. The takeaway for us could be a change in attitude or sometimes motivational. Some stories motivate other people to take positive actions. That is the beauty of the programme,” GESS’ Senior Radio Producer said.

Behaviour change communication continues to be a core element of the GESS programme, ensuring that cultural biases towards girls’ education are addressed. We believe that lasting change starts with changing individual behaviours and practices.

Categorised in: Girls' Education, Social & Behavioural Change Communication