(Last Updated on October 18, 2021 by ZIMDAILY EDITOR)
HARARE – UNICEF Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and a local creative agency with global footprint, DiComm McCann are collaborating through the Live Well Zimbabwe radio campaign that empowers children, parents and communities about their well-being including health, nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection.
The campaign includes broad messaging using radio stations across the country and includes formats such as adverts, podcasts, radio dramas, short story narrations and talk shows.
Commenting on the initiative, DiComm McCann Managing Director Charles Mutemera said: “Sadly fake news is now a reality in the world we live in and many people make life decisions based on misinformation or lack of information and we are addressing this through the Live Well Zimbabwe program.”
Radio remains an extremely important media in Zimbabwe with more than 60% of people using radio. This initiative is ensuring listeners have the most up-to-date and factually correct information about their well-being to reinforce positive behaviours across many relevant issues.
The program running for six months, is an exciting approach to discuss issues that affect people and empower them with the right information to make the best decisions, while utilising feedback channels to interact with listeners through talkback radio.
UNICEF Zimbabwe Chief of Communications, James Maiden said: “We are witnessing UNICEF’s continuous commitment towards improving the welfare of every person in Zimbabwe. Last year we ran the Live Well pilot program for six months and it did exceptionally well.”
The Live Well Zimbabwe program began as a smaller initiative last year addressing health and nutrition issues.
The show was broadcast on five community radio stations namely SkysMetro FM, Hevoi FM, Capitalk FM, Nyaminyami FM and Diamond FM.
The radio programs also included the engagement of influencers and celebrities as role models for positive behaviour change.
“The current Live Well Zimbabwe initiative is cross sectoral and bigger in scope and seeks to address issues related to Health, Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Child Protection and HIV. The partnership with Dicomm McCann will strengthen the initiative.”
Maiden urged communities to tune in to the programmes providing lifesaving information, provide feedback and share experiences, intended actions and commit to personal and community actions.
“Looking into the future, UNICEF aims to continue strong integrated behaviour change campaigns to help communities improve their lives,” Maiden said.
From mid-October 2021, catch Live Well Zimbabwe programs and keep an eye out on our social media pages for more information and schedules. @UNICEFZimbabwe @DicommMcCann @CMutemera