In Uganda, gender-based violence continues to devastate women and girls, manifesting in forms such as domestic violence, sexual assault, early marriages, and trafficking. But among these struggles, Milliam's story is one of remarkable resilience and transformation. Growing up amidst these hardships, Milliam found hope through the power of media. Milliam was introduced to Akakunizo (“Jigsaw Puzzle”), a transformative radio drama by Population Media Center (PMC) that became a source of strength and education in her life. Akakunizo, which began airing in October 2019, is a 156-episode radio series in Luganda, one of Uganda's most widely spoken languages. The show airs across numerous districts, from Northeastern to Central-western Uganda, and tackles critical issues such as #familyplanning, sexual and #genderbasedviolence, and maternal and child health and nutrition. This impactful drama is part of the RISE consortium and is being developed in partnership with MSI Choices, with PMC as a key collaborator. It seeks to increase modern family planning rates across six regions of Uganda and is delivered using PMC’s unique methodology of creating engaging, culturally relevant content to shift societal norms. For Milliam, the messages of empowerment, informed decision-making, and women’s rights featured in Akakunizo provided a sense of agency and a new perspective on her future. Through the show’s storylines and characters, Milliam gained the confidence to take control of her own life, becoming a catalyst for change in her community. This work and others that PMC continues to create ties directly to the #WomenUganda2025+ campaign, an initiative focused on advancing women’s rights and ending gender-based violence, while #empoweringwomen in leadership, health, and agriculture. (fb)

Women and girls are leading the charge for change, defying societal norms and overcoming tremendous obstacles to drive progress. At Population Media Center (PMC), we’ve spent over two decades empowering women and amplifying their voices through #storytelling. Our work addresses critical issues like #genderinequality, lack of education, and harmful practices such as #childmarriage and #FGM. By reshaping narratives and challenging norms, we’re committed to creating a more #inclusive and #sustainable future for all. Together, we can continue championing the rights of women and girls globally. Our #whitepaper focuses on the incredible #resilience of women in #Zambia, highlighting their leadership in tackling the impacts of #climatechange. In the face of droughts, floods, and resource scarcity, Zambian women are rising as powerful #agentsofchange. Featuring interviews with climate activists, our report showcases their efforts to drive #climateaction and bridge #gendergaps in accessing #climatefinance. Join us in supporting these women and promoting a future where every woman and girl can thrive. (fb)