FHI - FHI/Nepal Launches Radio Programs Focusing on HIV/AIDS Education

HIV/AIDS Related Stigma and Discrimination

The radio program Ek Apas Ka Kura (Talking to Each Other) debuted March 12 on Radio Nepal's national broadcast and on FM stations nationwide, addressing HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination. The 30-minute radio drama and audio magazine integrates entertainment with important messages to reduce the negative impact of stigma and discrimination. It offers a mix of entertaining drama, comedy, songs, radio jingles, radio spots, interviews, and lively discussions as part of programming.

Ek Apas Ka Kura is a joint effort combining the talents of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), popular radio and television stars, and media experts.

The show is produced in collaboration with Nepal's National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAP+N) and Thompson Nepal, a local ad agency. The show's design takes into account the results of a recent research study conducted by FHI/Nepal on stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Safe Migration and HIV/AIDS

The regional radio program Desh Paradesh (Country and Abroad) debuted March 25 as part of a Nepal/India Safe Migration Initiative conducted in coordination with USAID/India and FHI/India for Nepali labor migrants and their families living in Mumbai. The 30-minute radio drama and audio magazine show offers a mix of entertaining drama, song, voices from the field, messages to families and a radio magazine that features interviews and discussion from Far Western Nepal and Mumbai, India.

Desh Paradesh is the first radio program produced in Nepal that uses satellite technology to reach Nepali migrant audiences in destination communities outside of the country. The program is aired through Radio Nepal's national and regional broadcasting stations, and local FM stations in Far Western Nepal.

The radio show developed in response to research from Far Western Nepal that showed HIV prevalence is higher in mobile and migrating populations. In particular, Nepali men who had returned from Mumbai and Maharashtra State in India had higher rates of HIV infection. There was a clear need for an intervention that targeted Nepali men at both source and destination communities and the availability of satellite technology provided the opportunity to use mass media for HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Digital Broadcast Initiative/Equal Access developed the radio program in collaboration with the local beneficiary groups. Communication Corner and producers in Far West Nepal and Mumbai designed and produced the show jointly, with technical oversight provided by Content Advisory Group in Nepal.