admin | April 19, 2024
Since February we have been discussing and producing radio resources on an important, but under-discussed, topic: unpaid care work.
It takes a lot of hard work to keep a family healthy and happy – and many of these tasks are unpaid and frequently undervalued. Cooking, cleaning, childcare, caring for elders and sick family members – all of this hard work is essential in a family. Much of this work is done by women, and is often unrecognized, unappreciated, and keeps these busy individuals from pursuing paid work. How can this work be more equitably shared among family members? How can these great contributions be valued and appreciated? These are the questions we hope you will tackle through your radio programs.
We invite all of our radio partners to produce episodes on this important topic starting in March, the month of International Women’s Day, and all the way through April. Everyone who produces an episode on the topic of unpaid care responsibilities between March 1 and April 30, 2024 will be eligible to be entered into a draw to receive one of 30 prizes of $100 CAD. Simply fill out this form to indicate your participation: https://forms.gle/8w2MfkC9Pdiz98cg9
We have already seen great participation in this campaign. More than 170 episodes have been broadcast from more than 120 radios in 18 countries. There’s still time to join in! Consider using one of our radio resources to make your program planning even easier.
Cynthia Vitima Mbeba and Patrick Mwale of Wazilinda FM in Malawi used our Barza Wire story from Togo to produce an episode of their program Bamama Na Chitukuko (Women and Development). They hoped to help listeners understand what unpaid care work is, and the Barza Wire story is about a woman advocating for the recognition of unpaid care work and shared domestic responsibilities.
After a short introduction, they read the story and then interviewed the vice chair of Chindi Women’s Forum, who discussed some of the responsibilities of women in Malawi, how much time those tasks take, and local customs regarding domestic matters. Then they interviewed a local chief on local traditions, raising some of the concerns of local women. Finally, they spoke to someone from a local women’s empowerment organization – Coalition for the Empowerment of Women and Girls, and took that opportunity to clarify the concept of unpaid care work and discuss policies and programs addressing gender equality.
This is just one program at Wazilinda FM that has addressed the topic of unpaid care work in recent weeks. The program Nase Tingamanya (We Can) also aired an episode on gender equality between girls and boys, and how parents can play an important role in overcoming stereotypes. This producers of this program used a Barza Wire story from Liberia in this episode.
Radio Evangile Albarka in Togo is another station who had aired a couple of episodes addressing different aspects of unpaid care work. Koudjoukalo Hilim is the host of the Femme et société (Women and society) program supported by Tasso Palakassi, a technician. Her episodes have addressed : what is expected from unpaid care work; causes and consequences of unpaid care work; how men can support women with housework; and how religious leaders are supporting a discussion on re-balancing care work. She used a variety of FRI resources to support these episodes, including Barza Wire stories and our backgrounder on positive masculinity.
For more ideas on how you can use our resources in an episode, see this sample design.
At the end of April, we will draw 30 names to win prizes of $100 CAD. To be eligible for the draw, let us know you broadcast an episode!
We would also like to recognize the 60+ stations participating in a Script+ Series about this important topic. In eight countries, radios were engaged to plan and produce an 8-episode series on this topic, really delving into the issues surrounding unpaid care work. We will share stories from these series soon.