Burkina Women’s Association Receives Honorary Medal for Community Radio
Jan 25 2010, Burkina Faso [BF], Livelihood opportunities
- Source:
- François Laureys [flaureys(at)iicd.org]
- Country:
- Burkina Faso [BF]
- Sector:
- Livelihood opportunities
Pag la Yiri, a women’s association based in eastern Burkina Faso, received an honorary medal for its work in the Zabré region, particularly its community radio station. The medal, Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Burkinabé, is one of the highest honorary medals awarded by the President.
The community radio was set up in August 2009 to better inform the 1.5 million people in the information-deprived region of Zabré. Due to its location, few radio programmes are available within the area. Many people tune into the Anglophone radio stations that belong to their Ghanaian neighbours.
Because many people only speak local languages such as Mòoré and Bissa, there was a strong need for a local language radio station. With the help of IICD, a small community radio station and internet connection was installed at the Pag La Yiri women’s association. Members of Pag La Yiri were trained to use radio equipment and conduct interviews.
Now they are broadcasting on locally relevant topics such as health prevention programmes, market prices, new production methods and local politics. In just a few months the community radio managed to attract a large audience, and is now the most popular radio station in the region.