Women's Empowerment and Good Governance Through - amarc

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Best Experiences for an Action Research Process 56 Though the number of women compared to men may look small, in considering the rural location of these stations, these stations must be commended for the efforts they are making to bring in women. In their locations, the number of literate women is much lower than in the urban areas, and the traditional attitudes and practices that keep women in the background are deeply entrenched. At the same time, women in these rural areas have little time because they are expected, in addition to their household roles, to contribute to the household economy, usually through farming and informal trade. The women staff members are not in low-key positions, as is found in many organizations in such rural settings, but are in management and key operational positions such as news production. In fact, two of the eight community radio stations – RAP and Simli – are currently headed by women. The involvement of women in senior positions gives them a strong voice in determining budgetary allocations and how and what programs are to be run. Through the strong involvement of women in management, efforts are made to produce programs tailored specifically to the needs of women and the youth. The women at the stations have also become mentors to other women and young females who are encouraged to try their hands at radio while in school and many of them have become community producers after completion of their formal education. This is particularly so in the case of Radio Ada, which has separatedprograms for women and the women, based on felt needs, design such programs. An example is the fishmonger’s program on Radio Ada. Community radio in Ghana has also given women involved in the sector the opportunity to enhance their skills to bring them up to par with their male counterparts. This has been given strong impetus by GCRN’s training policy and the requirement that at all the joint training opportunities offered by GCRN have at least half the number of participants from each community radio station be women. Community radio women have therefore received training in ICT and broken the myth that it is only for men and the lettered in the society. Among other affirmative action initiatives, community radio in Ghana has openly supported women’s participation in local government elections. These elections are non-partisan, so do not go against the code of GCRN and its member stations. The community radio stations have provided support by publicizing and covering women candidates exclusively, even going to the extent of training them in how to speak on radio and mounted platforms. This has often been at the expense even of male volunteers at the stations. Independent evaluation of these
57 Best Experiences for an Action Research Process efforts in the 2002 elections showed that the efforts of community radio stations paid off greatly with significantly greater numbers of women winning elections in localities that had community radio stations. As an offshoot, many of the women who won or participated in the elections have gone ahead to become community radio volunteers. Despite the laudable successes chalked up to and the policy framework set in place by the GCRN, the desired gender balance has not been achieved in the decision making and the day-to-day running of most of the community radio stations. Factors responsible for this situation are no different from the general picture nationwide as described earlier. Cultural, religious and social practices, low educational levels and the demands of family life have made it impossible for more women to be involved in community radio. As one woman put it, “radio is like a husband and there is a husband at home who would not countenance any other competitor.” Indeed the long hours, early morning and late night shifts make it difficult for more women to be retained on staff after a certain age since they have to start and/or care for their families. Some men would also not agree to their spouses being on radio discussing subjects they believe would undermine their authority as husbands. The way forward therefore lies in sustained education not only at the community radio level but also at the national level and this calls for advocacy and networking to ensure that the issue of the involvement of women at all levels of governance becomes part of the national agenda. Notes: 32.- Ghana Community Radio Network
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Women's Empowerment and Good Governance Through - amarc

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