Meena Radio Program
Who is Meena?
South Asian cartoonist Meena is a popular figure. She is a courageous nine-year-old girl who braves the world, whether it is in her attempts to attend school or in her battle against HIV/AIDS stigma in her town.
Meena is well known and respected throughout the majority of South Asian nations and is an effective teaching and campaigning tool for girls' and children's rights. As she addresses the important concerns impacting children and the risks to the rights of millions of girls in South Asia, the Meena figure has attained astounding popularity.
The Meena Communication Initiative
In order to alter attitudes and behaviours that impede the survival, safety, and development of girls in South Asia, UNICEF created the Meena Communication Initiative (MCI).
Meena is a name that crosses the boundaries of the many cultures in the area, and a cast of carefully sourced characters has been developed for Meena's family and neighbourhood. The Meena tales are enjoyable and lighthearted, but they also portray the realities of South Asian girls' existence.
The stories address topics including gender equity, education, health, and liberation from exploitation and abuse. Together with the Asian Cricket Council, a tale about girls' right to play called "Fair Play for Girls" was created. Most recently, the Government of Japan assisted UNICEF in creating an episode that promotes girls' rights to play.
How is Meena used?
Important lessons like gender, children's rights, education, development, and protection are communicated via Meena. The Meena tales offer many inspiring examples of a girl overcoming obstacles to win respect, love, and equality. Social concerns have been promoted in compelling and provocative ways through imaginative and intriguing storylines.
The components of the Meena Communication Package are:
• Graphic novels
• Animation movies
• Displays
• Teachers' guides and discussion points
• Radio programmes (created in association with the BBC World Service)
The Meena series has received widespread acclaim in India, where it is used as a communication tool in ongoing national education and communication initiatives. Meena is featured in advertisements for girls' education that are broadcast on state-owned radio and television networks. The State Education Department has taken the initiative to create more than 19,000 girls' organisations named "Meena Manch" across the state of Uttar Pradesh, which is home to the majority of the country's population. In 2002, the procedure was started. The Manch works to guarantee that all local girls enter at the proper age, attend regularly, and finish their primary education up to class five under the direction of one facilitator/teacher. In primary schools, Meena Cabinets are being established up with two students from each class (classes 3, 4, and 5).
