Excessive financial demands from parents regarding dowries have prevented young people in the Kore area of southern Ethiopia from marrying the partner they truly desire and building the lives they want. Instead, they have ended up in debt and homelessness. In response, the local radio station Kore Community Radio FM 92.3, supported by Fojo, developed the programme “Tilosh”. The programme has provided a space for dialogue and discussion about outdated customs and norms.
“Parents seeking wealthy suitors for their daughters have long been a significant problem in our society. Men have been forced to sell their belongings and even houses to be able to marry,” says John Kebede, Manager at Kore Community Radio FM 92.3.
The radio station participated in Fojo’s mentorship programme aimed at strengthening local radio stations in Ethiopia, where, in addition to technical equipment and solar panels, they received help in developing their programme content. Managers and reporters were guided in producing high-quality content that effectively addresses issues related to gender-based violence. As a result, “Tilosh” (which means dowry) was developed, a radio programme format aimed at raising awareness about outdated customs within the Kore community.
One of the main ways to address the problems has been to allow the radio programme to be a platform for open discussions and to encourage members of the community to share their experiences and perspectives. Individuals who have had the courage venture outside the norm and follow their own path have been highlighted to inspire others. Muluneh Wusera, an example of just that and a resident of the Kore area, regularly listens to “Tilosh”.
“How will my daughter be able to live after marriage if I have received large amounts of money from my son-in-law’s family? I have seven daughters, and I haven’t received any dowry for any of them when they got married. Now my children take better care of me than that money ever could”, he says.
The effects of the effort have not been long in coming. After participating in the three-month Fojo mentorship program, Kore community radio has continued to broadcast “Tilosh”.
“Through the discussions we have in the program, the community has begun to realise how traditional cultural customs affect women. Increased dialogue has led to young people gradually gaining the freedom to choose their own partners and break free from prevailing norms”, says John Kebede.
