UNICEF India finalised five winners of its first Radio4child Awards to promote Routine Immunisation (RI) among children in India on April 28.
It was a part of a two-day workshop focusing on utilising radio as a medium to spread critical messages on RI held in partnership with radio personality Simran Kohli’s organisation Speak For Change and Nagrik Foundation.
Routine Immunization (RI) in India saves 2.5 million lives each year but despite best efforts only 65 percent children get all vaccines during the first year of their life.
In order to vaccinate the 35 percent partially or unvaccinated children in 201 high focus districts, the government of India launched a special campaign called the ‘Mission Indradhanush’.
With nearly 159 million listeners, radio is a crucial point of contact and in June 2014 UNICEF in partnership with the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) organised a capacity building workshop of over 100 leading Radio journalists and producers on the RI Programme.
At the same event, UNICEF announced the first ever Radio4child Awards for child health across five categories – Best PSA, Best RJ Link, Best Radio Spot, Best Jingle and Mission Indradhanush Best Radio Spot.
It received 21 entries from the top radio participants across the country who innovatively promoted RI on-air.
A jury featuring pioneers from the radio and development industry reviewed 21 radio clips and finalised five entries which will be given the awards in a special event in Mumbai.
They will also receive international exposure and a chance to interact with radio journalists from the SAARC region.