Developing Radio Partners

JULY STORIES | Check out our website and see what we have been up to this month. Learn about how local DRP sponsored stations are creating local change!

JUNE STORIES | Check out our website and see what we have been up to the past month. Learn about how local DRP-sponsored stations are creating local change!

In Malawi, menstrual health and hygiene are often shrouded in stigma and taboo, leading to a lack of awareness and access to essential resources. By openly discussing these topics on the radio and taking practical steps to address the needs of girls in their community, a local mother support group is breaking down barriers and empowering young women. Read the inspiring story!

Radio Program Empowers Girls through Menstrual Health Education (June 19, 2024) A movement is underway in Nkhotakota, Malawi to address the often-overlooked issue of menstrual health and hygiene. Inspired by a series of radio programs on Nkhotakota Radio, the Mtandila Mother Support group has taken action to ensure that no girl in their local school misses out o...

"My church does not allow members to access hospital services, describing it as a sign of unbelieving, which is sin." Read the story of a 16-year old girl in Malawi who sought medical care over the objections of her parents and her church after listening to a radio program.

Radio Program Sparks Pregnant Teen to seek Medical Care (June 18, 2024) A 16-year-old girl's decision to seek antenatal care during her pregnancy has sparked a heated debate within her church community in Nkhotakota, Malawi.Her church prohibits members from accessing hospital services. Loveness Kachala, who is three months pregnant, found herself at odds...

Radio Program Sparks Construction of New Classrooms in Malawi - https://mailchi.mp/developingradio.org/radio-program-inspires-new-classrooms-in-malawi

Learn how girls are becoming empowered about their reproductive health through football. Use the link in our bio to read more about Mervis in a story written by DRP-trained youth reporters!

Something new on the DRP website is Latest News. Check it out and see what we're up to.

Radio Programs Inspire Community Action to Support Girls in Malawi (May 31, 2024) In a heartwarming display of community action, parents and students in Nkhata Bay and Monkey Bay, Malawi, have taken matters into their own hands to address the lack of proper facilities for girls in local schools. Their efforts have not only provided much-needed changing rooms but al...

Memory Banda is a member of the board of directors at Developing Radio Partners and is working with us to end child marriage in Malawi. Memory's story is truly inspiring.

After Her Sister Wed at 11, a Girl Began Fighting Child Marriage at 13 Memory Banda’s battle, which she has been waging since she was a teenager in a village in Malawi, started with a poignant question: “Why should this be happening to girls so young?”

DRP-trained youth reporter Ellen Banda of Chanco Community Radio in Zomba, Malawi, interviews a member of a mother support group about using radio to address myths and misconceptions about contraceptives. The mother’s group emphasizes to youth the importance of accurate information to prevent unplanned pregnancies and STIs.

DRP-trained reporter Favor Palana (standing) interviews members of the Yatimala Youth Club about the importance of contraceptives in preventing unplanned pregnancies and STIs. Favor’s program, which airs on Chirundu Radio in Nkhata Bay, Malawi, focuses on lots of reproductive health issues. This program focuses on parental openness to ensure youth have access to reproductive health services.

Parents and young people attended a youth sensitization meeting organized by Dzimwe Community Radio's Youth Take Action program, in partnership with DRP, in Mangochi, Malawi. Teens were encouraged to join youth clubs to learn leadership skills and have their voices heard by elected leaders. The event, which drew over two hundred people, included distributing over a hundred condoms. The initiative has received positive feedback from parents, highlighting its effectiveness in promoting informed decision-making among youth.

Keep up with DRP's activities on our new Latest News page of our website! Just click and read!

LATEST NEWS | Developing Radio Youth Leader Draws Inspiration from Radio Show. Gets Invite from District Council in Malawi.(April 22, 2024) Chirundu Radio’s programs on governance inspired Erick Banda, the chair of the Nkhata Bay District Youth Network, to ask...

Jacob Thomas, a youth reporter trained by DRP at Gaka FM in Nsanje, Malawi, interviewed local youth about the difficulties they face getting access to contraceptives when they live in rural areas where there are no clinics. Jacob’s program is heard weekly on Gaka FM and focuses on youth health issues - namely sexual and reproductive health topics.

Agnes Jarafi, the Youth-friendly Health Services Coordinator, at right, discussed challenges that disabled youth face when trying to get access to contraceptives. DRP-trained youth reporter Gerard Blackson, at Mudzi Wathu Community Radio in Mchinji, has a hearing disability and interviewed Ms Jarafi for his weekly radio program.

Members of the Nkhotakota Community Radio listening clubs are tuning into a program addressing challenges encountered by rural youth in accessing reproductive health care in Malawi. DRP partner Nkhotakota Radio airs a weekly radio program that is produced by Youth, for Youth. The radio listening club members provide feedback about the program to the DRP-trained youth reporters. The weekly show focuses on sexual and reproductive health issues.

Easter Banda, a member of the mother group from Mwahimba village, was interviewed by a DRP-trained youth reporter at Radio Dinosaur in Karonga, Malawi. Ms. Banda focused on why it is important for youth to use contraceptives to prevent teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The program is produced by youth and is for youth and about youth issues - including sexual and reproductive health.

Gaka FM station manager Charity Dzongwe (in the light blue shirt with headphones) hosted a live program at his station in Nsanje, Malawi that tackled myths and misconceptions about contraception. The show featured a number of community leaders and experts. The program aimed to dispel myths and provide accurate information about birth control.

Sylvia Chite (in the white polka-dotted top) and Esmie Gama are working on a public service announcement (PSA) aimed at highlighting the significance of condom usage in reducing teen pregnancy. The girls were trained by DRP and produced the program each week. It airs on Dzimwe Radio In Monkey Bay, Malawi.

A youth reporter trained by DRP interviews young people at a Youth Corner in Nkhata Bay. They discussed the importance of friendliness and privacy at health facilities for youth. The interview was aired on DRP partner Chirundu FM. Some adults and parents oppose the use of contraceptives among youth - and these young people say such cultural norms lead to teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

A member of the Namalaka Mother Group (in blue shirt) shares with DRP-trained youth reporter Ellen Banda from Chanco Community Radio in Zomba, Malawi, her group’s efforts to prevent adults and others from judging youth who want to use contraceptives. The mother support group pushes for privacy for youth accessing sexual and reproductive health services.

DRP-trained youth reporter Jesse Noah from Blantyre Synod Radio in Blantyre, Malawi, conducted an interview with youth about the importance of having access to contraceptives. At the interview, outside the Bangwe Health Centre Youth Friendly Club, Jesse learned that some youths are too embarrassed to ask for condoms. In other interviews, a clinic worker said one possible solution is making sure youth have a private entrance to the clinic away from adults who might judge them.

DRP-trained reporter Jonathan Simbi, at right, interviews two members of the Tambo Village Mothers support group about the importance of parents allowing their teens, sons, and daughters, access to contraceptives. The interview was part of a recent program on Gaka FM, in Nsanje, Malawi, about the whole issue of youth having access to reproductive health services.

Members of the Monkey Bay Youth Network gathered recently at the local hospital to address improving access to contraceptives for teenagers. In partnership with DRP, Dzimwe Radio, in Monkey Bay, Malawi, is doing a series of radio programs to expand young people’s access to contraception. Members of the Monkey Bay Youth Network stressed the importance of providing youth health services to people living in rural and remote areas of the Mangochi district.

Local leaders gathered to advocate for establishing a youth corner at the Chikwina Health Center that would provide reproductive health services for the young people in the area. Several leaders agreed that with so many young people in the community, there needs to be a dedicated youth corner for them so they can get condoms, HIV tests, and other services. DRP partner Chirundu Radio, in Nkhata Bay, Malawi, did a series of programs about the need for a youth health clinic. Following this program, seven hectares of land were donated by the local chief to build a youth corner.

Joshua Chilenje (in the red shirt) addresses members of the Chizalo Father Support Group, and dozens of other villagers, on the importance of talking to youth about myths and misconceptions about condoms and other contraceptives. This gathering was inspired by a program produced by DRP partner, Chanco Community Radio in Zomba, Malawi, which provides accurate information to youth about contraceptives and is working to dispel myths and misconceptions about them.

Youth reporter Faith Bvomerani, from Blantyre Synod Radio, interviews a member of Tiphase, a youth club in Chrimba, Malawi, about the difficulties youth with disabilities face accessing contraceptives. The club member said that disabled youth face problems reaching youth health facilities and even if they’re able to get there, they may not be able to communicate with health providers. He says these facilities must not forget about the disabled.

DRP-partner Chanco Community Radio in Zomba, Malawi is working with mother support groups to assist girls in villages across the district, by providing free reusable sanitary pads. These girls are showing off their new reusable pads and are excited they won’t have to miss school each month when they get their periods. Some girls begin to fall behind when they miss one or two days of school each month and eventually may drop out of school. Chanco Radio and a local mother support group are hoping to keep that from happening by supplying as many girls as possible with sanitary pads.

DRP-trained youth reporter Maureen Mvula, who helps produce a radio program for youth and about youth on Radio Dinosaur, in Karonga, Malawi, says it’s important that parents understand why youth need access to contraceptives. On the weekly radio program that she helped produce, Maureen talks about how access to contraceptives means fewer teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

Members of the all-boys and all-girls radio listening clubs at DRP-partner Dzimwe Radio in Monkey Bay, Malawi, take a break after a clean-up campaign at the local hospital. The club members organized the cleaning exercise to show youth the importance of getting involved in activities that help the community.