Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
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Hannu Daya Radio Programme

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Hannu Daya (a Hausa proverb meaning "One Hand Cannot Mount a Thatched Roof") is a radio initiative created in 2002 with the support of Department for International Development (DFID)'s State and Local Government Programme (SLGP) in an effort to address the weaknesses in broadcast journalism and the broader governance culture in Nigeria's Jigawa State. The programme aims to promote better communication between people and government through radio broadcasts that are designed to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, opinions, and information about government and representation at local and state levels.
Communication Strategies

Hannu Daya is broadcast twice a week for 30 minutes; it is essentially a phone-in programme for people without easy access to telephones. The two presenters go out every week to villages and interview people, hearing their worries, concerns, hopes, and aspirations. Villagers are encouraged to say whatever they want to say, which includes complaints and frank views about the delivery of government services. The presenters then seek answers from the relevant authorities for inclusion in the programme.

To cite an example of this strategy, one of the episodes produced in 2005 marked the sixth anniversary of the return to democratic rule in Nigeria. The programme featured interviews with people who wished to discuss perceptions of democracy in Gujungu, a small market town in Jigawa. Participants expressed their frustrations with the political system; one of the discussants, whose views were aired on the programme, was critical of the failure of the government to honour its pledge to electrify Gujungu. Based on this information, the Hannu Daya production team was motivated to set up an interview with the relevant Member of the State Government about this complaint. He committed, on air, to resolve the matter to ensure that un-served communities would be electrified in accordance with government commitments. Several months after the episode was aired, the Member had honoured his promise to pursue the matter, and contracts for the electrification were issued.

Development Issues

Democracy and Governance.

Key Points

"Jigawa is located in the poorest region of Nigeria - about half of its 3.6 million inhabitants live in poverty. Only 12% of the adults can read (compared to Nigerian national average of 49.4%), and access to TV and print media is limited. However, more than half the adult population has home access to radio."

Listener surveys carried out in 2002 and 2004 showed that there is a high level of awareness of Hannu Daya. More than one in every three adults in Jigawa State is aware of the programme; over half of all radio listeners are aware; and approximately a third of adults have heard at least one edition of the weekly radio programme.

Sources

DFID website on Oct 2 2006 and April 22 2008.