Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest countries and has the tenth highest HIV prevalence rate at over 16%. The vaste majority of the rural population lack basic health services, water supply and schools.
POWER International trains disabled women as radio programme makers and their radio programmes raise awareness of issues that many disabled people face such as HIV/AIDS, discrimination, domestic violence, lack of employment, health issues, nutrition, reproduction, hygiene and sexually transmitted diseases. Disabled women are particularly vulnerable and at risk of exploitation and physical violence. Many are illiterate and face the double discrimination of being women and disabled. By disseminating information to their listeners, these radio listening clubs help disabled people to remove their sense of isolation and weakness, empowering women and raising their self-esteem. The women are trained to produce up to four programmes a month (2 in Portuguese and then 2 repeats in the local language) which are then broadcast on national and community radio stations. Currently Power have 18 radio clubs for people with disabilities, operating in four of the ten provinces in Mozambique and plan to start more with help from the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Working with local partners and by interviewing national decision makers they are giving disability concerns a high profile and gradually changing attitudes towards disability.