Mexico - Esta boca es mi boca

In 2006, the state of Oaxaca, Mexico was experiencing unrest and violence stemming from labor disputes. Triggered by a teachers strike, the protests escalated and involved tens of thousands of students, political groups and social organizations demonstrating against the Oaxaca state government. Protesters took over and shut down government offices and occupied streets, tourists were trapped in hotels. At least two people were killed in the spreading violence. Among the institutions caught in the upheaval are local radio stations, some of which have also been occupied by protesters.

This was the background as our show went on the air, created in partnership with “SINERGIA para el Desarrollo Integral Sustentable A.C.” a local civil society group went on the air. The show that was created was called “Esta boca es mi boca” or "this Mouth is My Mouth. This serial drama was included in an hour long love magazine show called “Entre Labios: Voces para vivir” (Between Lips: Voices for living). The purpose of the show was to provide information about human rights, particularly about sexual and reproductive health and rights, within the communities in Oaxaca, Mexico

The 10 energetic adolescents who produced this show helped to make it one of the most popular shows in the region and helped to keep it on the air despite the protests.

Related Link: Mexico partner stays on the air despite violence in Oaxaca

“The program made me realize that the only thing you have to do is make yourself available for the health providers. They don’t require anything from you. It’s your right.” Anonymous,16

Social Economic Facts about Oaxaca, Mexico:

• Indian groups make Oaxaca state the most ethnically complex state in Mexico.
• It is the third poorest state in the country, with over 3,000,000 people.
• The state has reported 2,000 HIV/AIDS cases.
• The local hospitals reported 12% of teenage pregnancy.
• Illiteracy among women is 26.7% and 15.5% among men.
• Over 60% of the population does not continue studying after primary school.

Broadcast Details:

Broadcast Period: March 2006 – August 2006
Target Audience: Youth ages 14 – 19.
Broadcast Reach: Radio Calenda 107.9FM, also known as the “people’s radio” in the districts of Ocotlán, Zimatlán, and Zaachila. . 200,000 estimated audiences – reached by five community radio stations that rebroadcasted the radio drama: Radio “La Ocoteca” (Ocotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca), Radio “Jenpoj” ( Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, Mixes), Radio “Plantón” (Oaxaca de Juarez), Radio Xeglo “La Voz de la Sierra” ( Guelatao de Juarez), “Estereo Comunal” (Guelatao de Juarez)
Number of Episodes: Radio Drama – 20 episodes, 15 minutes each. Magazine Show – 20 episodes, 60 minutes each.

The Radio Drama:

Plot: Ana, Manuel and their friends attend a sexual rights workshop. The workshop became the perfect stage to bring up their own experiences about the sexual rights and responsibilities adolescents have.

Radio Drama Main Characters Profile:
Manuel: 15 years old, stubborn, wants to explore his sexuality without listening to Ana, his girlfriend.
Ana: 17 years old, in love with Manuel, but suddenly realized that their relationship is not as normal as she thought it was.
Don Gabriel: Instructor of the sexual rights workshop led by the local health authorities and main support to Ana, Manuel and their friends.

The Magazine Show:
1- Welcoming
2- Radio Drama: “Esta boca es mi boca”
3- “Deshaciendo Telarañas” (Untangling Spider Webs): Guests health service providers discussed issues on reproductive and sexual rights. The services offered were mostly free or low cost.
4- “Pa’ que no le digan, Pa’ que no le cuenten” (So that they won’t say So that they won’t tell): Informational clips.
5- “Intercambio” (Exchange): Listeners participated by letters and phone calls.
6- Closing

It reminds me a lot of me and my father, me being more or less like Ana. I cried sometimes, ha ha. It’s funny because it seems like my story or that of someone I know, ha ha.” Anonymous, 17

Program Impact

PRE-BROADCAST RESEARCH

• 200 surveys were given to analyze listeners’ topics and time preferences, 70% said they were willing to listen to the radio program.
• 100 interviews were implemented in San Antonio, Ocotlán and Zimatlán to analyze people’s perception regarding the radio program’s name, logo and music.
• Execution of three focal groups to validate the pilot program.

“My father also listened to the radio drama and he told me that Ana should talk to her parents about being with Manuel.” Anonymous, 14

POST-BROADCAST RESEARCH

• 72% of the young people interviewed in Zimatlán, Ocotlán and San Antonio de la Cal confirmed they listened to the radio magazine.
• 27% of the interviewed listened to over 15 episodes of the radio magazine.

“As a sexual abused victim there is not enough information about our rights to have a legal abortion. If I would have ended up pregnant I would have resorted to having an unwanted pregnancy.” - Anonymous, 14

• 95% now feel they have the right to decide about their sexual life.
• 92% believe their partners have no right to pressure them to have sex.
• The rebroadcast of the radio magazine reported an 85% listener increase.

Local Partnerships
We work with public and private partners to promote social development. This program worked with more than 20 local and national organizations, among them:

• COMPARSA : Communitarian theater national initiative
• CentrArte: Promotes, broadcasts and leads cultural customs researches
• Asociación Acceso Libre A.C.
• Handicap assistance provider: Consorcio para el diálogo parlamentario y la equidad, Oaxaca
• Women’s rights: Mexfam, Fundación Mexicana para la Planeación familiar A.C.
• Family planning - Secretaria de Asuntos Indígenas de Oaxaca: Indigenous organization

Capacity Building and Participation
We ensure the program sustainability by increasing broadcasting skills within the community.

Six training workshops with 47 participants total. Workshops topics:

• Youth’s human, sexual and reproductive rights.
• Legal and illegal abortion
• Physical and mental disability
• Gender equality
• Family planning, female and male condoms
• Myths and taboos about sex, HIV and AIDS

In addition, participants identified and communicated their own needs, which created credibility among listeners. Example of activities implemented:

• Five mailboxes placed on public spots, creating a channel to address issues proposed by the audience and to greet friends
• Three festivals: To promote the radio magazine
• TV interviews with the “Entre labios” team for TV Azteca, and press conferences

Cost–Effectiveness
To ensure program sustainability the project required cost-sharing. PCI-Media Impact provided 80% of the project cost and our partners provided the remaining 20%, often through in-kind contributions, volunteers, and sponsorship.