Women's Empowerment and Good Governance Through - amarc

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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
17 Best Experiences for an Action Research Process to discuss their activities during the 16 days of activism against gender violence when no other radio station would give them the same space. In Mozambique, women community radio broadcasters formed the Network of Women in Community Radios in 2003 to “encourage activities seeking to ensure that women enjoy the same rights, duties and opportunities as men, as stipulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, and recommended in the Beijing Declaration, and in the principles of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD” (Jallov, n.d.). In Fiji, femLINKpacific uses community radio to hold the government accountable to its commitment under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSC RES/1325) on Women, Peace and Security. femLINKpacific has produced numerous radio programs that highlight women’s role in peace building and conflict resolution. While most of the programs are women-focused, AMARC WIN members also make sure to use community radio as a medium to involve men in addressing the issues that women confront. Since male domination and patriarchy are seen as the main problems, men must be involved in formulating and implementing solutions. Community radio has a number of attributes that makes it an effective tool in promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes and governance structures. It is not controled corporate and government interests which allows it to speak to issues independently. It uses local language that makes the information and the discussions on issues accessible to local communities. It transcends literacy barriers, which allows and encourages a great number of women to use it as their primary source of information. This is not to say that everything is rosy and perfect in the community radio sector. The same issues of women’s under-representation and negative and stereotypical portrayal are faced by women in CR. However, because of its community-based and people-controlled nature, these issues are confronted to a much lesser degree. Given this reality, community radio remains to be an effective tool in promoting people’s ownership of and participation in development processes that ultimately will guarantee accountability, transparency, effectivity, efficiency and responsiveness – all essential elements of good governance. Notes: 23.- Mavic Cabrera-Balleza is President of the AMARC WIN
Page 2 and 3: Best Experiences for an Action Rese
Page 66 and 67:
Best Experiences for an Action Rese
Page 68 and 69:
Page 70 and 71:
Page 72 and 73:
Page 74 and 75:
Page 76 and 77:
Page 78 and 79:
Page 80 and 81:
Page 82 and 83:
Page 84 and 85:
Page 86 and 87:
Page 88 and 89:
Page 90 and 91:
Page 92 and 93:
Page 94 and 95:
Page 96 and 97:
Page 98 and 99:
Page 100 and 101:
Page 102 and 103:
Page 104 and 105:
Page 106 and 107:
Page 108 and 109:
Page 110 and 111:
Page 112 and 113:
Page 114 and 115:
Page 116 and 117:
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
Page 122 and 123:
Page 124 and 125:
Page 126 and 127:
Page 128 and 129:
Page 130 and 131:
Page 132 and 133:
Page 134 and 135:
show all

Women's Empowerment and Good Governance Through - amarc

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?