Promoting Children’s Rights: The Onus Is Now On 150 Community Radios!

Expectedly – and understandably – the promotion of children’s rights in Cameroon will henceforth receive greater visibility. Following the signing by 150 community radios from the country’s 10 administrative regions of Memoranda Of Understanding, MOU, with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. The deals were sealed in Yaounde on Thursday, January 30, 2025 by leaders of the 10 regional community radio platforms or RADCOM. All under the umbrella name, PRERAPROD.  

Targeting Remotest Communities 
"The MOU seeks to reach out to people in very remote areas as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Cameroon’s National Development Strategy, SND 2030. Children’s rights are key part of UNICEF’s activities. UNICEF has moved from Communication for Development, C4D to Behaviour Change Communication. The MOU will strengthen our existing collaboration with community radios to promote children’s rights,” UNICEF Cameroon Deputy Country Representative, Juliette Haenni, said. 

Collaboration Strengthened 
According to her, “Community radios play an important role in discussing issues in the community concerning child rights. We are collaborating technically by providing the information needed to promote child birth and wellbeing. For example, the age range zero to two years is very important for the child’s future.

Technical, Financial Backstopping 
“Thus, the need to talk about what the child requires, what the community can do in terms of health services, nutrition, birth registration and education play; so that the child can have the best chances in life. UNICEF’s contribution to the partnership is technical and financial backstopping in terms of promoting children’s rights. And community radios will help us to pass on the information. It is a win-win partnership,” Mrs. Haenni noted. 

Fillip To Development 
The representative of the Ministry of Communication, Ismaila Tanban Mgbatou and head of the project, said community radios sensitise on the realities in communities. “Given their proximity to the people, community radios communicate on different issues to help pass on social values to children. The topics covered by community radios under the MOU include doing away with what is holding back Cameroon’s development," Mr. Mgbatou emphasized. Commending UNICEF for its support. 

Boumba and Ngoko’s Shining Example 
“Before the signing of the first partnership about five years ago between UNICEF and the platforms of community radios, Radio Boumba FM had already taken the commitment to produce and broadcast programmes on children’s rights. And more so, doing it in French and three languages spoken in our division – Baka or the language of pygmies, Kounambembe and Mpiemo. We have been sensitising parents to respect the rights of their children through education, health …,” explained Rigobert Alondja, head of the East Region RADCOM Platform. Who is also Station Manager of Radio Boumba FM, Yokadouma in Boumba and Ngoko Division of East Region.

Long Before Partnership With UNICEF 
“Our radio was founded in 2002 and ever since, we have been promoting children’s rights. It is true at the time we promoted access to good drinking water, vaccination, nutrition, education…with little means and out of goodwill and social responsibility. Today, we have the support of UNICEF to do better. 

Palpable Impact 
“There is something to show for the sensitization we have been carrying out. For example, Baka parents today understand the importance of sending and keeping their children in school more than ever before. This is why today we have we have Bakas from our division who are Assistant Divisional Officers, Divisional Officers, soldiers, primary and college teachers, because there has been great change in behaviour. It is the same with other community people in Boumba and Ngoko Division,” Alondja stated.   

Giving Voice To Voiceless
Mrs. Ortence Sophie Ntsouala epouse Bindzi, the Ministry of Communication Delegate for Centre Region and the Spokesperson of Regional Delegates of Communication at the event, sai...