The year 2009 heard plenty of vital water, sanitation and hygiene messages – in various languages, contexts and regions. With support from WSSCC, the National WASH Coalitions in Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and the Philippines were (and some still are) devoted to running WASH Radio Campaigns in their countries. One of the overall aims of the WASH radio advocacy is to promote and share WASH-related information with a wide audience. Indeed, radio remains a popular medium for successfully reaching communities in the developing world, particularly where literacy rates are lower.

Diverse, culturally sensitive, interactive and stimulating

All the WASH radio programmes were very diverse, culturally sensitive, interactive and stimulating. Kyrgyzstan’s campaign for example actively involved the mass media and youth to raise awareness on WASH by organising workshops and press conferences or celebrating the Global Handwashing Day. In Colombia the so-called Programa de Radio H2O consisted of a panel of experts who sensitised listeners and discussed possible solutions on how to improve the WASH situation. The WASH Philippines Radio Campaign used another approach. Catchy brief radio spots as for example “Worldwide, there is evidence that the provision of separate and hygienic toilets increases school attendance by girls” were broadcast in local languages.

Varied content and repeated exposure, key to effective promotion via radio, made the campaign a real success. Thematically, the programmes were as manifold as the different radio formats and people by the microphones. In Zimbabwe, the radio series addressed local priority topics such as cholera outbreaks and corresponding precautionary measures, poor solid waste management or alternative sanitation technologies. It mainly aimed to point out the crucial role of sanitation and hygiene in creating a healthier and cleaner environment for all Zimbabweans.

Let’s turn up the volume

Currently, a number of Nigerian radio stations are on air until April 2010. The campaign entitled Stay Alive, Stay Healthy: Listen and Act targets both policy makers and the general public to create an enabling environment leading to increased resources allocation, demand and access for improved sanitation. Also in Bangladesh and Ethiopia, vibes of the Studio WASH can be heard across the country. As there are still many WASH stories to tell – and radio persists as a good tool to spread the news in the new decade ahead – let’s first of all turn up the volume, be inspired, and then, most importantly, flash into action: a decent toilet, safe hygiene and water for all are achievable!

By Maja Frei, Junior Officer Advocacy, WSSCC
For more information contact Saskia Castelein, Programme Officer Advocacy, at saskia.castelein@wsscc.org

Tags: hygiene promotion, information and communication, rural wash