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Radio programme on plight of the poor on air
ActionAid International Zimbabwe
October 21, 2011

ActionAid International Zimbabwe (AAI Zimbabwe), in partnership with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe, is introducing a weekly radio programme aimed at promoting debate on issues of the poor and excluded communities in Zimbabwe. The programme will run for five weeks starting 26 October and ending 23 November 2011.

The radio programme, running on a short term basis, and ridding on an already existing Radio Zimbabwe programme called "Manga Muchizviziva Here", (meaning "Are you aware of this"?) seeks to provide a platform to the poor and excluded communities to air their grievances. The programme also aims to influence debates and to mobilize public opinion on issues that affect the poor with a view to highlight social injustices at the grassroots and national levels.

The programme will be aired in Shona, will be broadcasted every Wednesday 1845 to 1900 hrs (Zimbabwe time). Recordings for the programme were done in AAI Zimbabwe Local Development Rights Programmes, formerly Development Areas and the focus was on children's right to education, women and land rights, women living with HIV and AIDS and how communities are putting in place copying mechanisms including income generating projects and HIV and AIDS support groups.

AAI Zimbabwe Country Director Dr. Tsitsi Choruma said: "The radio programme will promote mainstreaming of issues of the poor and excluded communities on national agenda as well as promote dialogue on issues affecting the poor. It will also raise awareness on the duties and obligations of government and other stakeholders to communities."

The ZBC Radio Zimbabwe station, which mainly uses local languages, has the widest listenership out of all the ZBC radio stations available. While it is applaudable to allow the poor to air their views on the radio station with the largest listenership in Zimbabwe there are however challenges of reach of broadcasting signals and information to the poor communities in the country, in particular in rural areas. The ZBC is the national broadcaster in Zimbabwe and has monopoly on radio and television.

Visit the ActionAid International Zimbabwe fact sheet

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