When a market trader becomes frustrated with the local police inspector who is more interested in lining his pockets than finding her missing duaghter, a magic drink  provided by the local changa'a brewer causes the trader and police inspector to switch bodies. Each has the opportunity to see how the other gender lives! - with hilarious results and eye-opening perspectives. All the while, the search for the missing woman continues - will she be found in time?

Find out at the Crossroads!

Crossroads is an exciting new six episode serial radio drama emploring issues related to the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. Created to a high quality broadcast standard, each 20 minute episode delivers adventure and intruigue, as well as subtely interwoven messages around women's rights.

Each episode is thematically related to an Article in the Protocol, specifically the right to peace, the right to freedome from violence, the right to marriage and divorce, to political participation, to education and reproductive and sexual health.

A lively original theme song accompanies each episode, and both complements the drama and stands alone as a powerful call to action for people to work together for women's rights.

The drama also includes a guide for radio presenters and community organisations, giving them ideas on how to take the drama further in their programming. The easy to follow guide gives presenters suggestions for questions to ask listeners or studio guests, as well as stories they can do that relate to the themes in each episode. It also contains key contacts and information about women's rights in Kenya, and a simplified breakdown of key articles in the Protocol that relate to the themes in the drama.

If you would like to download the guide or the dramas for use in your organisation, please visit our audio and publication library. 

Crossroads launches!

On September 30, 2008, Crossroads had it's launch in Nairobi. The launch was preceded by a media workshop on September 29, organised by the African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), that provided journalists with information and skills for reporting on the AU Protocol and women's rights issues.





Read the press release (pdf).

Crossroads translated!

Crossroads has received additional funding for translation into Swahili abd French.  CMFD recorded the Swahili version, Njia Pacha, in October in Nairobi. Most of the original cast was able to participate. Njia Pacha will broadcast in Swahili-speaking countries across East Africa.

To listen to the trailer and theme song for Njia Pacha, click on the links below:
Njia Pacha trailer
Njia Pacha theme song

Our next stop will be Senegal for the French translation early in 2009.

What's been said:

"[Crossroads] does reflect Kenyan life especially in the rural areas. Engaging scenes include: when Mama Bahati is being raped by Baba Bahati; [where they say] governments should have laws to ensure woman aren’t discriminated or exploited"
- Kenyan actor

"[The drama] is indeed engaging: the cliffhangers, suspense, etc, leaves the listener with a thirst/ desire to listen to more of it."
- Kenyan actor

"I learned alot about the AU Protocol; actually made me want to read the Protocol itself. [I have] never read it before, but will read."
- Kenyan actor