All India Radio, Radio Mirchi, Red FM, Big FM, MY FM, BBC Media Action Group and community radio stations Radio Azad Hind and Radio Dharkan from Shivpuri attended a day-long meeting organised here on Friday by the UNICEF on radio and child rights.
Speaking at the meet, Tania Goldner, Chief, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh, said that radio can help make a difference on issues of child rights particularly creating awareness on Right to Education and child marriage.
While speaking on Right to Education, she said, “State of Madhya Pradesh has made a progress on education yet we have challenges on quality and learning levels. And similarly Child marriage is a child rights violation and we need to take steps to prevent this and radio can play a role in creating awareness and bringing attention to this issue.”
Rashmi Arun Shami, Commissioner Rajya Shiksha Kendra, shared about the steps being taken by the State Government for school education in the State.
Goldner believes education is a key to prevention of child marriage and radio has a role in motivating families on education and prevention of child marriage.
She shared about the work being done by Education department with All India radio like Meena Radio, English is Fun, and Jhilmil and the positive feedback the department is receiving on these programmes.
Manish Mathur, Programme Manager, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh spoke on the challenges on implementation of Right to Education, infrastructure gaps, and consequences of child marriage.
He added as per Annual health survey data of the year 2010 – 11, 12.5 % of girls in MP, while 18.9 % of boys get married before their legal age.
Rachna Bhaduliya. Deputy Director Women and Child Development Department, FA Jami Education Specialist and Anil Gulati Communication Specialist with UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh were also present at the meeting.
Representatives of radio partners Pinky Tiwari, Roopak from Radio Mirchi, Garima and Anuj from Big FM, Rajeev from Red FM shared their thoughts, and how they can and will contribute as part of their corporate social responsibility on these two issues.
Meeting ended with a
commitment of all partners present to work closer together and have a targeted campaign on the two issues from April to July.