Empower Women and Girls Around the Globe

Thanks to your support, PCI Media is working to prevent childhood malnutrition in Somalia. 

In Somalia, one of the poorest nations in the world, a convergence of violent conflict and natural disasters has left large portions of the population at risk of famine, forcing many to leave their homes. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and infants living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are among those most vulnerable to malnutrition. 

Since early 2023, PCI Media has been working with the World Food Programme (WFP) Somalia on a radio drama to reach these vulnerable populations. Together, we are preventing malnutrition by providing vital information that supports the use of cash transfers to support nutrition that are being distributed to IDP populations in Baidoa and Mogadishu.  

Direct conversations with these communities were critical to creating the radio drama messaging that addressed the wide range of the audience’s understanding.  

With these insights, the radio drama scripts, developed with local script writers, leverage accurate understandings of the cultural context by incorporating more characters with differing levels of knowledge about the key issues. This approach allows us to drive conversation and challenge certain misunderstandings that are present in the IDP communities.    

Here is what some listeners said: 

     As I’m a breastfeeding mother, I can say this program encouraged me to breastfeed my children and increased my awareness. It also helped me to stay healthy and protect myself from disease. I want to say to everybody who brought us this program, thank you. (Female caller, Episode 8) 

     This program helped me and my family to understand a lot of nutritious foods and the best way that I can manage the schedule of meals, and it also helped me to share thoughts that can help us to negotiate our family priorities. (Male caller, Episode 9) 

More than 72% of participants reported a better understanding of the different areas of nutrition and hygiene that were shared in the program. 

The results from the survey also showed improved self-efficacy around nutrition, hygiene, decision making, and care-seeking behaviors. 

Because of you, women around the world are empowered to live healthier lives and they are better equipped to provide nutrition to their growing children. We are grateful for your partnership in our work to create a healthier, more sustainable and just world. Thank you!