HƐrƐ S'ra Radio Drama

Using the entertainment-education stategy, HƐrƐ S'ra is broadcast twice weekly over Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB) and 22 community radio stations nationwide throughout Burkina Faso. In preparation for the series, PMC built a recording studio in Ouagadougou, the nation's capital. Kriss Barker, Vice President for International Programs, led PMC staff from across central Africa in the training workshops for local scriptwriters, actors, and producers. Formative research to design the radio drama is followed by quantitative and qualitative research to measure and evaluate the social effects of the drama.

One of the main storylines focuses on gender-based violence (GBV) and gender equality. Tchèkoura, who is 32 years old, runs a small restaurant. His cousin, Pascal, is a shady businessman who is always involved in questionable deals. Pascal is secretly in love with Irene and does everything in his power to force Tchèkoura and Irene apart. He lures Tchèkoura into investing in a fictitious gold mine, which ruins Tchèkoura financially and forces him to lose the restaurant to Pascal, who happily buys it from him at a fraction of its market value. Because of the mounting financial pressure, Tchèkoura begins to beat Irene and actually breaks her arm. She flees to the safety of Tchèkoura's aunt, Madjeliya, and brings Tchèkoura to justice. Meanwhile, Pascal is found guilty of having raped several of the waitresses at the restaurant and is brought to justice. Tchèkoura, for his part, is devastated by what he has done to Irene and begs her to return, vowing to never raise his hand to her in anger again. He is true to his word, and they begin to mend their strained relationship with Madjeliya's help. In the proceedings against Pascal, the scam about the gold mine is discovered, and Tchèkoura is compensated for his financial losses and takes back the restaurant. Irene has started a new business, baking and selling traditional breads. The future looks bright for Irene and Tchèkoura. They buy land and build a house.

Girls, Women, Gender Equality, Population, Reproductive Health

According to PMC, in Burkina Faso, the barriers to use of modern methods of contraception are largely informational and cultural. Although knowledge of contraceptive methods in Burkina Faso is high (92% of those interviewed know at least one modern method), only 13% of married women are currently using a modern method of contraception. Among sexually active, fertile women in a union, the top reasons for non-use are: the desire for more children (18%); personal, partner, or religious opposition (17%); fear of health effects (10%); and not knowing a method or a source (10%). Cost is cited by only 2.5%, and lack of access is cited by only 0.7%. The annual population growth rate in Burkina Faso is 3.4%, which means that the population (17 million) is doubling every 20 years. PMC asserts that population growth and population dynamics are important challenges that must be addressed in order to reduce poverty and improve overall health and welfare in Burkina Faso.