This has been one of the most successful programs in sensitizing women issues in different domains. MHCD has a Radio and Television Station called IMPACT. 90% of the Congolese people have a radio and at least every day they follow news on radio. Before, it used to be the men who were listening to the radio. After the war, we saw that women and children were the ones who were suffering the most and MHCD began programs of visiting villages and forming midwifery clubs and sensitizing them to listen to Impact Radio. We bought and distributed small radios and mobile phones that had FM radio applications in them. Since the introduction of the program, the women have begun following the Impact Station in great numbers and most of the programs are community based.
At Impact Radio, we have a program where women and girls who have been raped, testify on how MHCD has helped change their lives. Through the program, we have managed to get many women and girls who have opened up and came to the MHCD hospital to get medication, counselling and training on micro financing. Through the program, most of those who had no hope in life have had it restored. Many families have been rejoined and most of the sick have been treated and gone back to leading normal lives. We have another program on Gender Equality. This program has helped the women realise their potential and become responsible for part of the family income. We have another topic on Healthcare – where matters concerning hygiene, family planning, birthing kits distribution, malaria prevention etc are discussed. The program has been instrumental in improving health care services delivery in Uvira District and women’s health standards and conditions have been hugely improved.
