Pambazuko (The Dawn) Radio Drama

The Pambazuko radio drama was designed to drive people to question their own behaviour. In PMC's methodology, "the characters role model different behaviors allowing the audience to observe, hope for specific outcomes, and discuss with their friends and neighbors." Pambazuko is being locally written, and is produced and acted in Swahili. The 14 participating community radio stations are members of the Hirondelle network.

The drama features the following storylines:

• Jaribu is a young man who discovers that poverty is a vicious cycle that can tempt people into illegal activities, such as poaching. He is influenced by his friend, Pilipili who is involved in illegal trafficking and is a rapist. Jaribu himself becomes a rapist to avenge the rape of his sister, Feza, who tries to show Jaribu the dangers and immorality of the decisions he is making.
• Asumani is a very jealous husband who won't even let his wife Sheriya go to the market. When Sheriya gets pregnant, Asumani will not allow her to seek any medical care because he believes in traditional medicine. Sheriya's older sister insists that she be allowed to visit a doctor and eventually the baby is born at home. The baby's low birth weight causes concern, and Sheriya navigates difficult realities to protect her health and the health of her baby.
• Mawazo is a young 14-year-old boy who lives in Madoa. He loves school, but he must interrupt his studies because he is too poor to continue. Mifano must find a way to feed his mother and sister so he finds work in a mine. Through his experience listeners learn about child labour in the quarries and see the many factors that have an impact on a child's opportunity to receive an education.
• Machozi is a 24-year-old, married young woman. She has four children that she feeds by growing and selling yams and taro. Her husband, Ayali, is a drunkard and does not help feed or educate the children. Machozi must provide for the family and rely on her daughter Sheila, who is seven years old, to look after the other children when she is absent. The youngest child, Tati, is struck by polio and loses the use of his legs.

The launch of the radio drama was covered through print, radio, and television to promote listenership. Listeners can also interact with the radio drama through the Pambazuko facebook page.

Gender equality, family planning, human rights, children

Pambazuko is the third Population Media Center (PMC) radio drama in the DR Congo; the two other dramas are Vivra Verra ("Time Will Tell") in French and Elembo ("Footprint") in Lingala (see Related Summaries below for more information on these radio programmes).