In the radio landscape of Jos, Nigeria, Peace FM, guided by Manager Kachollom Rita Pam, serves as a vital link for communities within its 400-kilometer reach. At the heart of its programming is Wake Daya, a transformative one-hour show airing every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The dedicated team, including Zainab Babaji, Nansat Guning, Ketura Adeneji, Hudung Gyang, and Lawrence Kyarshik, delves into the impactful role of women in conflict-prone areas.
The station’s program Wake Daya is the winner for the 2024 Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio. This award recognizes exceptional radio programs that serve women listeners. The programs are celebrated for advancing gender equality, whether through presenting women’s experiences and views, tackling subjects important to women, or emphasizing the contribution of men in achieving gender equality.
The program’s mission is straightforward: empower women to actively contribute to peace and community development. Wake Daya strives to support women in dialogues for sustainable peace while advocating for the inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities.
With a focus on gender equality, the program addresses women’s rights, decision-making, and challenges harmful norms. It organizes small women’s discussion groups, which provide valuable information and empower women to organize peaceful events where they discuss how women can contribute to peace-building and raise peace-loving children.
The program regularly features guests, including male champions of gender equality, and dedicates time to address gender-based violence. It provides resources for survivors and showcases leaders actively challenging societal norms.
Wake Daya shares success stories such as that of Ruth Ikre, an advocate for early conflict reporting, and Amina Saidu from Josho, highlighting the elevated status of women in their communities.
Challenges, like dispelling misconceptions around gender equality and addressing sensitive topics like early marriage, are met head-on by involving respected religious and community leaders on the program.
Since its inception in 2019, Wake Daya has catalyzed positive changes. Men now actively advocate for women’s inclusion, stereotypes are decreasing, and empowered women lead peace initiatives. Callers like Rabiu Usman and youth leader Benjamin Musa attest to the program’s impact.
In a region where change is crucial, Peace FM’s Wake Daya stands as a powerful catalyst for gender equality, paving the way for inclusive and harmonious communities in Plateau State.
Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian non-profit organization specializing in ICT-enabled extension and communication for reaching rural and remote communities at scale in local languages in sub-Saharan Africa. FRI’s core expertise is collaborative, user-focused co-creation of quality information and advisory services, combining radio and mobile phones, other ICTs and face-to-face interaction.