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Dandalin Iyali (“Family Forum”): Empowering Families, Inspiring Futures
In Niger, three out of four girls are married before the age of 18, and more than 2.6 million children are kept from classrooms. Against this backdrop, Dandalin Iyali (“Family Forum”) took to the airwaves with a bold mission: to spark conversations that families rarely have and to challenge norms that keep young people from reaching their potential. Over 72 episodes, the series invited parents, youth, and communities to imagine a different future—and many did.
Broadcast on 70 community radio stations, Dandalin Iyali intended to reach millions nationwide. It wasn’t just a radio drama. Complemented by interactive talk shows, local listening clubs, and digital campaigns that reached more than 300,000 people online, the project became a platform for dialogue, reflection, and transformation across Niger.
“What makes Dandalin Iyali unique is how it reflects Nigerien culture authentically—our language, our traditions, our daily lives—while daring to question harmful norms. It has opened conversations that were once unthinkable.”
– Moussa Abdou Saley, Country Director, PMC-Niger
Education: From Skepticism to Support
When Dandalin Iyali began airing, many parents tuned in casually, not expecting it to challenge their assumptions. Ibrahim, a farmer and father of three in Maradi, was one of them. For years, he believed formal schooling was a distraction from the real duties of boys: Quranic education and farm labor. But as the storylines unfolded on his radio, Ibrahim found himself drawn to characters who wrestled with the same doubts and pressures he faced.
One character, a father like him, began questioning whether his son’s dream of becoming a doctor was worth supporting. In the story, this father’s decision to embrace education opened new doors for his family. Ibrahim saw his own life mirrored in that narrative, and for the first time, he began to reconsider.
“I was skeptical at first, but after listening to the series with my son, I changed my perception of schooling in society. For me, a boy was only good for Quranic school and farm work. I decided to support my son’s ambition to become a doctor.”
His story reflects a wider shift across Niger. According to the endline evaluation, 82.5 percent of listeners described education as “very important,” compared to 76.3 percent of non-listeners. More than half of listeners reported taking concrete action to keep their children in school, whether by helping with homework, meeting with teachers, or encouraging neighbors to prioritize education. The drama didn’t just entertain Ibrahim and his family—it pushed them toward a new future.
In Gwati, a teacher saw the difference firsthand. His classroom, once empty, began filling again as families reconsidered the value of school.
Menstrual Health: Breaking the Silence
In Niger, menstruation has long been a source of shame and silence. For many adolescent girls, their first period meant missing school—or even being considered ready for marriage. Families rarely discussed the subject openly, leaving girls unprepared and isolated.
Dandalin Iyali tackled this silence head-on. Through characters who struggled with stigma and others who advocated for dignity, the drama gave listeners language to talk about something long hidden.
The results were striking. 82.4 percent of listeners could name good menstrual hygiene practices, compared to 72.8 percent of non-listeners. Nearly two-thirds of listeners rejected the idea that menstruation should keep girls at home, and only 11 percent still believed girls should stay out of school during their periods. Perhaps most importantly, the belief that a girl’s first menstruation signals readiness for marriage dropped significantly among listeners.
For adolescent girls, these shifts meant more than numbers—they meant permission to stay in class, to keep learning, and to claim dignity in the face of long-held taboos.
Child Marriage: Rethinking Tradition
Early marriage remains one of Niger’s most pressing challenges. Families often see marriage as a form of protection or as the only viable future for their daughters. But Dandalin Iyali challenged those beliefs through storylines that showed the risks and regrets of early unions.
The evaluation found that 67.8 percent of listeners rejected the idea that marriage “protects” girls, compared to 56.4 percent of non-listeners. Additionally, 87.8 percent of listeners identified pregnancy complications as a direct consequence of early marriage, and nearly half knew the legal age of marriage, compared to just 40.6 percent of non-listeners.
For some, these lessons reopened old wounds. Nassara, a shopkeeper in Dogarawa, shared his own painful reflection.
“I took my daughter out of school to marry her off early, and today I deeply regret it. The marriage failed, and my daughter learned nothing. Today, I’m campaigning for other women not to make the same mistake.”
Others, like Badamassi, a listeners’ club member, voiced hope for the future:
“I hope to see more young girls go to school before getting married. Education should be an opportunity, not an obstacle, for girls.”
These voices embody a shift that the numbers alone cannot capture—families questioning deeply ingrained norms and choosing differently for the next generation.
Gender-Based Violence: Breaking Silent Norms
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of Niger’s most taboo topics. For many families, it is easier to ignore or excuse abuse than to confront it. But in Dandalin Iyali, characters spoke what had long been unspoken, modeling recognition, resistance, and reporting.
The evaluation revealed that 41 percent of listeners rejected all justifications for spousal violence, compared to 31 percent of non-listeners. And 64.2 percent of listeners said they would report GBV cases to authorities, compared to 50 percent of non-listeners.
These figures show a shift from silence to dialogue, from resignation to action. The drama didn’t solve the problem, but it cracked the wall of silence surrounding it
Nutrition: Equity at the Family Table
Food, too, is a matter of fairness and survival. In many households, boys are served first and best, while adolescent girls receive less. This quiet inequity has long-term consequences for health, learning, and opportunity.
By weaving nutrition into its storylines, Dandalin Iyali helped families see food as more than just a meal—it is an investment in their children’s futures. 84.2 percent of listeners reported adopting a balanced diet including iron and folic acid, compared to 72 percent of non-listeners. Families also reported more equitable distribution of food between boys and girls, and greater consistency in daily breakfast practices.
These changes suggest that listeners didn’t just absorb new information—they put it into practice, altering family routines in ways that could shape the health of an entire generation.
A Voice for Young People
Perhaps most profoundly, Dandalin Iyali gave Niger’s youth a voice. In a country where young people are rarely heard in community decision-making, the drama created space for them to see themselves—and to be seen by their parents. Nassirou, an online listener, said:
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a show that really speaks for young people, that gives young people a voice. I wish this kind of initiative would allow young people and parents to discuss things more openly.”
This intergenerational dialogue may prove to be the drama’s most lasting legacy: families beginning to talk about issues once left unspoken, from menstruation to marriage to dreams of the future.
“Launching this program in the middle of a coup was no small feat. The resilience of our Niger team ensured that sensitive issues—like child marriage and gender equality—could be aired without disruption. That perseverance is something to be proud of.”
– Jean Luc Dushime, Program Manager, PMC-Niger
Beyond the Airwaves
The power of Dandalin Iyali extended far beyond its 72 episodes. In addition to broadcasting across traditional radio to millions of people, online campaigns reached more than 340,000 people, while listening clubs and talk shows created safe spaces for discussion. Communities are now asking for more—such as participatory theater that would bring people together in person and include children with disabilities, ensuring no voice is left out.
The evaluation of Dandalin Iyali reveals cultural norms beginning to shift. Families are rethinking long-held assumptions. Children are returning to classrooms. Communities are standing up against child marriage and gender-based violence. As one listener put it simply and powerfully:
“Education should be an opportunity, not an obstacle, for girls.”
In Niger, thanks to Dandalin Iyali, that vision, and many others, is no longer just a hope. It is becoming a reality—one radio episode, one family decision, one community conversation at a time.
