Women's Empowerment and Good Governance Through - amarc

Best Experiences for an Action Research Process 16
media itself influences the political processes and shapes public opinion.
In an environment where people are mere consumers of media, it could be generally assumed
that participation in governance processes is low. In an opposite environment where people
have access to and control of the media, people’s capacity to contribute to and influence policy
and decision making is enhanced.Women, like other marginalized groups in society, have little
access to the media, particularly to the decision making within it.
The Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), the most comprehensive agenda for women’s empowerment,
signed by 189 member states in 1995, has identified women and the media as one
critical area of concern. It has identified two strategic objectives: 1) Increase the participation
and access of women to expression and decision making in and through the media and new
technologies of communication; and 2) Promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of
women in the media.
It’s now more than 12 years after the BPFA was adopted. While there have been a few inroads,
such as more women joining the media profession, and more women’s organizations
producing their own media materials, obstacles remain. Women are still under-represented in
decision-making structures within the media and negative and stereotypical portrayal of women
is still widespread. This reality prevents women’s full participation in governance structures
and processes. This is also the challenge that the AMARC Women’s International Network
(AMARC WIN) has taken on.
Community radio, women and governance
As part of its commitment to implement the BPFA and influence governments to honour their
commitment, AMARC WIN uses community radio as a key instrument to promote and ensure
women’s participation in governance.
In Indonesia, a number of women community radio broadcasters have produced programs
such as Women Voice Radio in Pariaman, West Sumatra and the Women Journal Radio Program
to address violence against women and how women could make use of existing laws to
assert their rights (Tanesia, 2006). In Jordan, Amman Net community radio covered women’s
issues more broadly than the other radio stations and dedicated airtime for women’s groups