Impact Data - I am a Child But I Have My Rights Too!
Date
Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Burkina Faso are among the six countries with the lowest human development, measured by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in terms of life expectancy, adult literacy rate, etc. A 1995 report showed that, although children under 18 account for 60% of the population in West Africa, less than 15% of television and radio programming were aimed at a young audience.
In this context, I’m a Child But I Have My Rights Too! is an awareness campaign initiated and coordinated by Plan's West Africa Regional Office (WARO) on the rights of the child. Broadcast since 1999 on radio stations in Burkina Faso, Togo, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Benin and Guinea Bissau, the campaign focuses on the application of children’s rights in the day-to-day lives of young people in West Africa. The 29 five-minute stories of the radio campaign promote child rights issues such as health, good environment, education, and gender equity. Other activities such as listening clubs, theatre productions, and training have supported the campaign. Children play active roles at all stages of the implementation of the project.
Methodologies
The final evaluation relied on qualitative methods such as interviews with key informants, focus groups, observations, and field visits. Each section is based on first-hand research, undertaken in September and October 2004. These findings are compared to and complemented by earlier research results from mid-term evaluations and other existing documents.
In focus groups and interviews, participants, partners and listeners shared their insights and observations concerning the campaign and their own experiences. Focus groups were designed to evaluate appreciation, message recall, awareness of children’s rights, attitudes, empowerment, behaviour change, and mobilisation. 175 children participated in focus groups or were interviewed in small groups. More than 140 interviews were undertaken with adult key informants including Plan staff at regional and country level and in the field, professional actors, directors and radio hosts from 21 radio stations, community resource people (teachers, community volunteers, religious leaders, non-government organisation (NGO) workers), parents, partners, and local authorities.
A desk study and review of visual material was conducted from baseline studies, quarterly and annual donor reports, quarterly and annual radio station reports, production reports, field mission reports, mid-term evaluations, and a study on child participation in the project.
In focus groups and interviews, participants, partners and listeners shared their insights and observations concerning the campaign and their own experiences. Focus groups were designed to evaluate appreciation, message recall, awareness of children’s rights, attitudes, empowerment, behaviour change, and mobilisation. 175 children participated in focus groups or were interviewed in small groups. More than 140 interviews were undertaken with adult key informants including Plan staff at regional and country level and in the field, professional actors, directors and radio hosts from 21 radio stations, community resource people (teachers, community volunteers, religious leaders, non-government organisation (NGO) workers), parents, partners, and local authorities.
A desk study and review of visual material was conducted from baseline studies, quarterly and annual donor reports, quarterly and annual radio station reports, production reports, field mission reports, mid-term evaluations, and a study on child participation in the project.
Knowledge Shifts
The baseline studies revealed that general knowledge about children’s rights in all seven countries was very low. In focus groups, children said they were surprised to learn that they not only have duties but also rights. The themes most often cited by children were the right to education, health, leisure, and protection against practices such as early marriage and excision. This is confirmed by quantitative data from the Burkina Faso evaluation, where these were the most frequently mentioned rights. 74% of children were familiar with the right to education (compared to 30% in the baseline study), 34% with the right to health (11% in the baseline), and 20% with the right to rest and leisure (5% in the baseline). Along with children and parents, teachers also confirm that the campaign helped them learn more about children’s rights.
Practices
Plan aimed to improve the capacity of stakeholders to produce radio programmes with and for children. The campaign saw an increase in programming for children, although not in all participating radio stations. Several radio stations confirm that they have had to create new children’s programmes after the campaign because of the strong demand from listeners.
Attitudes
The evaluation found that the project helped children gain self-confidence and hope for the future. It also changed mindsets about what children are capable of. A Plan community worker from Togo stated, “In our society children are usually considered incapable. With this campaign parents have understood that children have competencies: they can do radio shows and they can give advice about health issues. This is a major step forward!" The campaign also impacted radio stations. “The campaign has helped us to see children as an audience."
The campaign also helped children see their own roles and responsibilities in society. Children who participate in the project often become active in other community activities. Participation has given children a feeling of responsibility and importance and a sense of being useful in the community.
The campaign also helped children see their own roles and responsibilities in society. Children who participate in the project often become active in other community activities. Participation has given children a feeling of responsibility and importance and a sense of being useful in the community.
Increased Discussion of Development Issues
Children gained new self-confidence in speaking to adults, and adults became aware of children's rights, which led to increased parent-child dialogue. As children discussed what they learned on the radio, they began to explore issues affecting them in their homes, schools, and communities. For example, the programme helped get people talking about girls' rights to education and excision, which helped to increase the rate of girls' school enrollment and decrease the rate of excision. According to radio journalists participating in the evaluation, “This had a great influence on people. They have started talking about excision - something that we never did before." Furthermore, where there used to be only a few girls in each class, the enrollment of girls in primary school 2003-04 (one year after the first broadcasts) rose to almost the same as for boys (340 boys to 304 girls). “There was a lot of debate about the importance of girls’ education. It all started with the radio programme”, says one of the teachers.
Access
In order to ensure that the information is appropriate and accessible, the drama spots were produced in a wide range of languages, adapted to be culturally appropriate and produced with the participation of young people. 29 stories were produced in 22 different languages. The radio spots were broadcast through 91 local and national radio channels and cassettes distributed to organisations and groups promoting the rights of the child in each country.
Cartoon books were produced in Burkina Faso (10,000), Guinea (10,000), Benin (8,000), and Togo and Mali (5,000). A teachers’ guide was produced in Burkina Faso; 250 teachers from 50 schools in Burkina Faso participated in the school project, which sought to address 2500 primary school students. Approximately 200 listening clubs were set up.
Cartoon books were produced in Burkina Faso (10,000), Guinea (10,000), Benin (8,000), and Togo and Mali (5,000). A teachers’ guide was produced in Burkina Faso; 250 teachers from 50 schools in Burkina Faso participated in the school project, which sought to address 2500 primary school students. Approximately 200 listening clubs were set up.
Other Impacts
Plan field workers claimed that the radio programme increased knowledge in communities about Plan itself. “People know Plan better now. When children know their rights it is easier for us to make pertinent interventions."
Source
"I am a Child but I Have My Rights Too! Radio Campaign in West Africa: Final Evaluation Report", November 2004 - sent from Mimi Brazeau to Soul Beat Africa on December 16 2004.
- Log in to post comments