Environment Cycle Radio F.M. 104.2 MHZ

YAEF uses the medium of radio to share environmental information, thereby hopefully improving the livelihood and security of local people, enhancing environmental conservation, and empowering the community. ECRFM104.2MHZ is broadcast to a national audience 18 hours daily, and transmits local, national, and international news on an hourly basis in Nepali, Tamang, Newari, Bhojpuri, Maithali, and Tharu languages 19 times daily. By sharing factual information, this media outlet seeks to raise the environmental awareness of Nepalese listeners, hopefully motivating them to pursue more healthful practices in their daily lives. As the following list of programming illustrates, the content is varied: Religious Program; Horoscope Fortune; Health Program; Non-Governmental Voice; Views and Reviews; programmes on Newari, Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Tharu, and English Languages; entertainment programmes; Community Voice; Our Culture, Our Heritage; Today's Context; Agriculture Program; Valley Voice; Community Forest; Today's Transport; Conflict Management; Women's Voice; Child Program; Family Program; Lok Dohori, Nepali film songs; and old and new songs.

The Women's Division of ECRFM104.2MHZ was created in 2005 based on the understanding that Nepal's underdevelopment is connected to discrimination against, and the segregation of, women; the challenge is to bring the station's coverage to every corner of the country to inform and inspire women. The idea is that, since the natural environment and political environment are interrelated, women should be supported in stepping forward to improve both. This division's major objectives are creating and promoting women's awareness of environmental conservation, education, health promotion, gender equality, and economic development by using community radio to share women's experiences in remote areas, and by carrying out development and educational programmes for women.

For example, the division has organised adult education programmes, offered scholarship programmes, provided educational materials to economically poor and deserted girls, and held meetings and seminars on various subjects (e.g., gender equity) in an effort to facilitate women's participation in broad-scale social change efforts in Nepal. The division offers income-generating trainings for women to learn skills such as sewing, weaving, computer use, animal husbandry, poultry farming, fruit farming, hairdressing, handicrafts, etc. Participating women have also launched door-to-door sanitation-based programmes that, for instance, involve distributing buckets to collect waste and encouraging people to produce organic manure. Mass programmes covering issues such as forestation, greenery maintenance, and preservation of natural resources for environmental conservation - all with a focus on women's role - have also been developed. A final commitment is to lead the mission against trafficking of girls and to communicate information about HIV/AIDS and women's vulnerability to this and other diseases. In all these activities, in addition to radio broadcasting to raise awareness, the division disseminates information on women's activities through print and electronic media; for instance, a printed information bulletin is one of the division's strategies for reaching women in every part of the country. To accomplish some of its projects, the division engages in advocacy, cooperating with various organisations (e.g., in the case of efforts to eradicate women's exploitation) and conducting rallies and road dramas to spark awareness and action.

In addition, the division takes steps to increase the participation of women journalists in environmental reporting. Three hours of programming related to women's issues are broadcast daily. Members have been particularly active in an umbrella organisation of which the division is a member: AMARC - the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters. In 2005, members participated in the AMARC 8 World Conference and General Assembly, which gathered more than 200 delegates from 59 countries in Kathmandu, Nepal, under the motto "Voices for a Better World: Community Media and Social Justice" to discuss the state of community broadcasting, worldwide. The division offers a visiting journalist programme, as well as meetings and seminars, to help foster the equal participation of both genders in Nepal's journalism.

Environment, Health, Education, Women and Children, Youth, Community Media Development.

The beneficiaries of this radio station include the people of the Kathmandu Valley and its 9 surrounding districts, who constitute approximately 20% of Nepal's population.

Founded in 1994, YAEF provides membership to people between the ages of 18 and 55 years seeking to pursue their commitment to environmental sustainability through the organisation's monthly magazine and the radio project described here.