A radio serial drama, Nekakat (Cracked), which was aired by the Population Media Center (PMC) for 18 months on national radio stations was closed-out today. The production and airing of the radio serial drama was supported by UNFPA as part of the five-year Programme on Preventing and Responding to Sexual and Gender-based Violence funded by the Global Affairs Canada. A total of 156 episodes of the radio serial drama were broadcast entertaining issues of women and girls’ empowerment, gender-based violence, harmful practices and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suzanne Mandong, UNFPA Representative a.i. said “Media is a very important stakeholder in addressing a wide range of social, cultural, economic, and political factors that perpetuate gender-based violence and Harmful Practices.” She added that UNFPA partnered with the media based on a strong belief that the media can play a crucial role in changing the minds of decision makers by ensuring the stories of voiceless women and girls are heard and stimulating public dialogue and action thereby contributing to social change.

In addition to the close-out of the radio serial drama, the event served to launch a book titled "Yayen Emagne" (Eyewitness) which has been published through the same partnership between UNFPA and PMC. The book which is written by distinguished authors talks about such issues as gender-based violence and harmful practices violating the rights of women and girls.

With funding secured from the Government of Canada, UNFPA  engaged  various partners over the past five years to implement the Programme on Preventing and Responding to Sexual and Gender-based violence in selected districts in all the regions in Ethiopia.  The programe supported comprehensive and integrated services on sexual and gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Efforts were made through the programme to increase access to services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including psychosocial counselling, legal assistance, provision of shelter and medical care. To help survivors recover emotionally and become self-reliant and to facilitate the ongoing process of physical and emotional healing, trainings were also provided on income generating activities to help survivors earn income by establishing partnerships and referral linkages.

Professionals and entities involved in the serial radio drama and the book were recognized at the event which was attended by various partners.