Jigi ma Tignè – Listener Feedback
After just a few months on the air, a male listener named Doukara called to congratulate PMC-Mali on the quality of the content in the serial drama, praising the rich information, educational content, and high entertainment value. Doukara listened to the program regularly with a group of friends, on ORTM, the national Malian radio station.
While Doukara was very enthused by the program, he raised one issue of concern. He said, “For me, the only imperfection in the serial drama is the fact that it is against female circumcision. From my point of view, female circumcision is a practice rooted in our traditional values and should be promoted, not banished.” The PMC-Mali team spoke with Doukara about the dangers of FGM/C and the importance of putting a stop to the practice, and encouraged him to continue to listen to the program, which, through the lives of several of the main characters, described some of the psychological and physical consequences of this dangerous practice. Doukara went on to explain that, after each episode, he and his friends had heated debates about whether female circumcision should be continued. This demonstrates that at a very early stage, the program was successful at opening discussions and creating dialogue around this highly sensitive issue.
By following the drama, we hope listeners came to see for themselves the consequences of this unnecessary harmful traditional practice. Doukara said he would continue to listen and would be calling in again to discuss the various issues raised in the program.
If ‘Jigi ma Tignè had been broadcast when I was 18 months old, I would have not been the object of rejection, exclusion, and marginalization, because my parents and everyone else would have understood that I am not a bad luck omen and that I have the same rights as other children. And I would have gone to school like the other kids.
-Ténimba, a listener to PMC’s program in Mali
