In Rwanda, youth between the ages of 17 and 35 account for approximately 60 percent of the population. Therefore, the country's success depends directly on the achievements of its young people. SFCG is engaged in inspiring youth to foster change within their communities by giving them an outlet to engage and express themselves. SFCG’s two radio programs that specifically target youth, Ni Nyampinga and Génération Grands Lacs, aim to create a space where youth can share their experiences and collaborate together on solutions to issues relevant to their lives. Ni Nyampinga targets adolescent girls through its lively radio magazine format. It is hosted by young female journalists and focuses on themes that are economic, cultural, and social in an effort to inspire and empower young girls.
SFCG’s second youth radio production, Génération Grands Lacs, targets university-level youth in Rwanda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coordinated by SFCG, the program is produced by young journalists from five partner radio stations from the three participating countries. The program airs live for an hour each Saturday, with young people encouraged to participate through phone calls, SMS, and Facebook. The program examines issues affecting youth across the region, including questions of livelihood, security, civic participation, and social engagement. It strives to break down ideas that fuel stereotypes about “the other”, creating a safe and expressive platform where youth can recognize commonalities that unite them across borders. Airing in French, the program can be heard through any of the partner stations’ websites (see textbox).
Search for Common Ground Produces Girls Radio Program
Watch this CNN Report on Ni Nyampinga
SFCG’s radio program, Ni Nyampinga, aims to empower adolescent girls in Rwanda and steer them towards a better future. Focusing on girls aged 10 through 19, the program gives girls the confidence and ability to take control of their lives through education, economics, and health advice. In addition to the radio program, which is broadcast weekly, Ni Nyampinga includes a magazine produced by SFCG’s partner, Girl Hub. The initiative is supported by the Nike Foundation and DFID.
Originally known as Urungano, the program was renamed Ni Nyampinga in December 2011. It is currently the only radio program in Rwanda produced by girls for girls. “Nyampinga” means “miss” in Kinyarwanda, and refers to a female role model that is well-rounded, proactive, and promotes the potential for women to end poverty. A team of twelve girls, between the ages of 17 and 22, produce each episode - taking on the roles of presenter, reporter, researcher, and editor. Roundtable discussions, field reporting, and one-on-one interviews are used in each episode, covering a particular theme through multiple perspectives. The show also encourages listeners to call in to ask questions and provide opinions so they can exercise their voices and be heard.
Radio is the most popular and readily-available source of information in Rwanda, and Ni Nyampinga takes advantage of this format to forge a space where girls can find their voice, learn positive social behaviors and attitudes, and become leaders. SFCG believes that when a girl in the developing world realizes her potential, she isn’t the only one who escapes poverty - she brings her family, community, and country with her. Investing in a girl before she is married, pregnant or HIV positive is a solution for poverty.
Ni Nyampinga is currently SFCG-Rwanda’s most popular program. According to a recent survey, approximately 70% of people interviewed listen to the program.
