(SEPT. 26, 2025 – YEI COUNTY) – Anika Development Agency, through its affiliate media partner Access Radio 88.8 FM Yei, is working with BBC Media Action to support youth involvement in civic life and raise awareness on preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in South Sudan.
The six month project began on 1 May 2025 and will continue until 30 October 2025. It is being implemented across all five counties of Central Equatoria State and is also reaching communities in Eastern and Western Equatoria under Anika’s Communication for Development (C4D) programme. The initiative uses community media to encourage young people to take part in building peace and promoting social change.
As part of the collaboration, Access Radio is broadcasting a series of 60 drama episodes designed to spark conversations about civic responsibility, peace building and protection from gender based violence. Each episode is followed by a 15 minute interactive call-in session, giving listeners the chance to share views and ideas directly.
In addition, eight special skits under the popular “Madam Smart” series are being broadcast repeatedly to reinforce key messages and themes. These short plays combine humour with education to encourage dialogue and challenge harmful practices that affect women and young people.
Access Radio is also documenting and archiving the episodes, call-in discussions and listener feedback to measure how the programmes are received in different communities.
Radio staff and journalists in Yei County have been taking part in training and mentoring sessions organised by BBC Media Action to build local media capacity and improve community centred broadcasting.
Anika Development Agency views this collaboration with a global media brand as part of it’s commitment to empowering young people and local communities to become active voices in shaping their society.
We believe that through community radio and C4D, people across Central Equatoria and neighbouring states can be equipped with information and space to take part in meaningful discussions about their future.
This partnership has also revealed the vital role of community radio stations like Access Radio in advancing peace, civic engagement and social justice at the grassroots level.
PHOTO CREDITS: BBC Media Action