Community radio for women's voices
15 May 2009
The Gender Policy for Community Radio has been developed by AMARC-Women's International Network to help radio stations understand and strive to meet the needs of women in their diversity - women in conflict situations, differently abled women, women from minority groups, including lesbian and transgender women.
- Image credits: ISIS / Cover page of the report
Gender Policy for Community Radio
Publishers: Isis International and AMARC WIN
Women have a larger role in community radio than any other form of media. Easy to use, easy to access and low in cost, community radio helps women's voices be heard in countries as diverse as Afghanistan and Australia. However, even the community radio sector is far from achieving equality for men and women.
A survey conducted by Isis International and AMARC-WIN Asia
Pacific has shown that 45 per cent of staff and volunteers in community radio are women but only 28 per
cent of them are in leadership positions and only 30 per cent
perform technical tasks.
Among the concerns cited were:
lack of technical skills among women; security and violence; less chances to
present their view points; and less access to decision-making for women. They
complained of the male-dominated radio set-up that intimidates
women and hinders their participation.
This is however changing now. As community radio spreads, particularly across the Asia-Pacific, it is helping to empower women.
The aim of this Gender Policy for Community Radio is to help radio stations understand and strive to meet their obligations towards women in their diversity. It covers the needs of women in conflict situations, differently-abled women, women from minority groups, including lesbian and transgender women.
The policy has been translated into 18 languages by Isis International and AMARC WIN for Women's Day on March 8, 2009.
Listen to the Gender Policy Feature by Marion Cabrera and Lalen de Vela.
