The workshop was organized through UNESCO’s Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) Programme and Communication and Information (CI) Sector, with the aim of strengthening community radio’s contribution to health literacy, informed decision-making and community engagement, particularly among adolescents, young people and undeserved communities.
Community radio provides an important channel for reaching audiences in their local languages, including communities with limited access to other information sources. Strengthening broadcasters’ skills can help ensure that health-related information is evidence-based, inclusive and responsive to local needs.
Strengthening capacity for responsible broadcasting
During the workshop, journalists, producers and station managers explored key topics including adolescent and reproductive health, HIV prevention, early and unintended pregnancy, gender equality, gender-based violence and mental health.
Practical sessions focused on ethical reporting, addressing health misinformation, audience engagement and developing programmes through interviews, storytelling, radio dramas and live community broadcasts.
“Community radio is not simply a means of communication; it is a powerful platform for learning, dialogue, public awareness, community participation and social transformation,” said Dr Abdoulaye Salifou, Head of Education at UNESCO’s Addis Ababa
Participants also worked on station-level plans to identify priority issues in their communities and design activities that encourage dialogue among young people, parents and other community members.
