Equal Access International

We pioneered the use of an integrated participatory media and youth engagement model produced by youth for youth
to empower young people and address the root causes of youth violence
and alienation. In each country, our programs and activities address
these root causes by providing education on 10 vital life skills through
a nationally broadcast interactive radio series, leadership trainings,
new media and SMS engagement, discussion groups and civic activities.
Recognizing youth for their enormous potential, we elevate young voices,
build self-esteem, provide livelihoods training and empower them as
social change agents.

In Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/) , more than 50% of the population of 27 million is under 25 years of age. Until Equal Access’ flagship radio program Chatting with My Best Friend(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/nepal-projects/chatting-my-best-friend/)
began broadcasting life skills and livelihoods messages in 2001, many
had no place to turn for this crucial information. Now more than 6
million young people tune in each week to hear the hour-long youth radio
show, making it the most popular program on-air and the most trusted
source of health information among youth people. The program features a
drama segment, songs and lighthearted banter between young hosts on
everything from HIV/AIDS prevention and livelihoods training to dating
and difficult life decisions. Over 1,200 youth clubs across the country
meet to hear the program, talk about the issues within the context of
their daily lives, and take action within their communities. The show
receives more than 1,400 letters and e-mails and 5,000 SMS messages each
month. With regional and national youth publications as well as online
forums for ongoing discussions, Chatting… is the heartbeat of Nepali youth and their trusted best friend.

Similarly, in Cambodia(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/)
nearly half of the country’s population of 14 million are under the age
of 18. With so many young Cambodians eager for the opportunity to
improve their lives and understand the recovery process in their
country, our youth media show We Can Do It!(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/cambodia-projects/project-can-do-yeoung-aich-twer-bahn/) has captured the imagination and loyal listenership of millions of young people . We Can Do It!
teaches essential life skills, health and civic participation. Hundreds
of self-formed youth clubs participate and take action in their
communities and We Can Do it! also receives letters and SMS feedback from listeners across the country.

Building on our established and dynamic methodology, EA launched youth programs in Chad and Niger in 2008 as part of our Peace for Development(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/niger/niger-projects/peace-through-development-pdev/) initiative. and In Niger, our Youth Boulevard
program has 2.4 million weekly youth listeners and addresses peaceful
ways of addressing grievances, tolerance, livelihoods information,
problem solving as well as additional topics including HIV/AIDS, family
relations, marital violence, hygiene, and the environment.

With a broadcast reach of more than 90
million across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Equal Access provides
education where it is needed most through media–based teacher training,
early childhood development programming, and non-formal life skills and
livelihoods training for young people age 14-30. Through our programming
and community engagement activities, youth around the world are gaining
the information and skills necessary to be engaged citizens and help
foster positive change.

In Nepal, more than 50% of the population of 27 million is under 25 years of age. Until Equal Access’ flagship radio program "Chatting with My Best Friend" began broadcasting life skills and livelihoods messages in 2001, many
had no place to turn for this crucial information. Now more than 6
million young people tune in each week to hear the hour-long youth radio
show, making it the most popular program on-air and the most trusted
source of health information among youth people. The program features a
drama segment, songs and lighthearted banter between young hosts on
everything from HIV/AIDS prevention and livelihoods training to dating
and difficult life decisions. Over 1,200 youth clubs across the country
meet to hear the program, talk about the issues within the context of
their daily lives, and take action within their communities. The show
receives more than 1,400 letters and e-mails and 5,000 SMS messages each
month. With regional and national youth publications as well as online
forums for ongoing discussions, Chatting… is the heartbeat of Nepali youth and their trusted best friend.

Similarly, in Cambodia nearly half of the country’s population of 14 million are under the age
of 18. With so many young Cambodians eager for the opportunity to
improve their lives and understand the recovery process in their
country, our youth media show "We Can Do It!" has captured the imagination and loyal listenership of millions of young people . We Can Do It!
teaches essential life skills, health and civic participation. Hundreds
of self-formed youth clubs participate and take action in their
communities and We Can Do it! also receives letters and SMS feedback from listeners across the country.

Building on our established and dynamic methodology, EA launched youth programs in Chad and Niger in 2008 as part of our "Peace for Development" initiative. and In Niger, our "Youth Boulevard"
program has 2.4 million weekly youth listeners and addresses peaceful
ways of addressing grievances, tolerance, livelihoods information,
problem solving as well as additional topics including HIV/AIDS, family
relations, marital violence, hygiene, and the environment.

With a broadcast reach of more than 90
million across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Equal Access provides
education where it is needed most through media–based teacher training,
early childhood development programming, and non-formal life skills and
livelihoods training for young people age 14-30. Through our programming
and community engagement activities, youth around the world are gaining
the information and skills necessary to be engaged citizens and help
foster positive change.

Throughout the developing world, many
individuals – especially in rural and marginalized communities – do not
perceive violence or a lack of access to education, information and
social services as a violation of their basic rights. The experiences
these individuals and communities struggling to survive through
persistent conflicts, recurring human rights abuses and exploitative
situations are rarely heard or documented. Often tolerated as the norm,
human rights abuses based on caste, gender, religious, ethnic or social
divisions continue unabated and unaddressed.

Our dynamic and informative media and
community action initiatives provide essential knowledge of basic human
rights and how to protect them.  Modeling tolerance and respect by
emphasizing listening and dialogue, local solutions and direct access to
support services, even the most marginalized are not only heard bu able
to affect positive change.

In Cambodia(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/) , our “Success Starts With You”(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/cambodia-projects/project-success-starts/)
program has helped Cambodians understand their civic rights in the
newly emerging decentralized democracy. Young girls and boys who listen
to Ana Kut(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/cambodia-projects/project-future-your-hands-ana-kut-knong-dai-neak/) have been able to migrate safely and avoid being trafficked into the sex trade or into forced labor.

In Afghanistan(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/afghanistan/) ,
more young girls are in school and less forced into corrective
marriages. We have produced a range of programming to help educate
Afghans about women’s rights and human rights within the context of
Islam through shows like “Our Beloved Afghanistan”(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/afghanistan/afghanistan-projects/project-human-rights-context-of-islam-afghanistan/) and many others.

In India(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/india/) and Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/) ,
we educate migrants on their journey cross  border  so they understand
their rights and can protect themselves from exploitation.

Our innovative media programs provide
civic education through serial dramas, community roundtable discussions
and interviews for millions to hear and see, while our targeted
trainings build the capacity of local leaders and government officials.
We bring elected officials, community leaders, local journalists and
everyday citizens together in town hall forums to discuss issues and
achieve collective solutions. By combining informative media shows with
targeted trainings and public forums, a more informed and engaged
citizenry emerges to hold leaders accountable, and newly trained leaders
are more responsive to their constituents.

In Cambodia(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/) , our “Success Starts with You”(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/cambodia-projects/project-success-starts/)
drama series follows villagers from two rural communes as they solve
issues affecting their communities, such as disputes around elections,
land rights and crime. This program helps foster civil society and
democratic participation.

In Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/) , empowered with knowledge gained at the trainings and the weekly broadcasts of Naya Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/nepal-projects/project-naya-nepal-nepal/) ,
young leaders continue this peer to peer training and hold community
discussions on electoral engagement, the newly formed Constituent
Assembly and collective solutions to hardshithe ASPIRE Initiative(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/afghanistan/afghanistan-projects/project-aspire-closed/)
brings citizens together with provincial and local leaders, moderate
religious leaders, and local journalists for a series of trainings
followed by town hall forums where human rights and local governance is
explored in the context of Islam and the Afghan Constitution.

With severely limited access to basic
information on a range of health issues and services millions of rural
and under-served communities struggle to make informed choices or
receive the care and support needed to foster health and save lives.
What’s more, many health issues such as HIV and STDs must be negotiated
sensitively among partners and require de-bunking of false beliefs and
adoption of new behaviors.

For example a rural women in Cambodia
might hear a public service announcement about how to prevent HIV, but
if delivered in sound bites or as a simple set of facts without the
social education on how to effectively address this issue with her
family and in her community, she may struggle to take effective action.

Every day, our popular radio and TV
dramas, chat shows, street performances, and community outreach
activities provide vital information and education on HIV/AIDS, malaria,
maternal & child health, sexual & reproductive health, family
planning, nutrition and sanitation — supporting communities to protect
and advance their health.

Now in Cambodia(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/) whole communities  gather together to listen to The Future Is in Your Hands(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/cambodia/cambodia-projects/project-future-your-hands-ana-kut-knong-dai-neak/) ,
an innovative drama series which addresses HIV/AIDS, violence against
women and girls and trafficking.  Presented as a drama, three young
women face health challenges and learn to navigate a range of choices
while imparting vital health information to loyal listeners.

In Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/) , 6.5 million young people are loyal listeners to Chatting with My Best Friend,(http://www.equalaccess.org/challenges-we-address/country-programs/nepal/nepal-projects/chatting-my-best-friend/)
Equal Access’ popular youth chat show, making it the most popular youth
radio program in the country. This long-running program helps young
people navigate the difficulties faced by youth in Nepal including
sexual and reproductive health, positive decision-making, HIV/AIDS
prevention, managing relationships and positive livelihoods.

In Nepal(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/) and India(http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/india/) , the cross-border program At Home and Abroad (http://www.equalaccess.org/country-programs/nepal/nepal-projects/project-at-home-abroad-desh-pardesh-closed/) educates
migrants on safe migration and HIV prevention, care and treatment as
they make their way from source to destination communities.

With more than half of the workforce in developing countries working in agriculture, it is essential to provide information to farmers. Through Equal Access' media programs that provide access to industry experts and best practices, we are empowering farmers and local entrepreneurs to run successful farms and small and medium enterprises (SME), fueling sustainable economic development in local communities.