admin | July 17, 2026
Winning the Liz Hughes Award was a proud achievement for Mlimi Radio in Malawi. But for the team behind Girls Rise, the recognition is also an opportunity to help other broadcasters submit stronger applications by sharing what they learned throughout the process.
The team says the award was a chance to showcase work they were already doing through the program while encouraging other broadcasters to produce programming that advances gender equality. They say, “Our program was already creating change in our community. The Liz Hughes Award gave us an opportunity to share that work and inspire other broadcasters to produce programs that advance gender equality.”
One of the team’s biggest lessons is that a strong application goes beyond describing a program. Instead, it demonstrates how the program has made a difference in people’s lives.
Rather than writing in general terms, the team included real examples from Girls Rise. They described how a 14-year-old survivor of sexual abuse was connected with a child rights advocate after sharing her story on the program. They also explained how an 18-year-old survivor of gender-based violence was referred to the Gender Department for support. Other examples included more girls enrolling in vocational training and more men supporting women and girls in their communities.
The team says the section on program impact was one of the most important parts of the application. They explain, “The question about impact was the most important because it allowed us to show that our work goes beyond broadcasting. We could demonstrate changes in attitudes, increased community conversations about gender equality, and new opportunities for girls.”
The team encourages broadcasters to use the same approach regardless of the topic of their program. They say, “Whether your program focuses on gender equality, agriculture, climate change, or health, use real stories to demonstrate your impact. Show the difference your program makes in people’s lives.”
They also recommend explaining how gender equality is integrated throughout the production process. The team says, “Gender equality is considered from the very beginning of production. We choose topics that reflect the issues women and girls face, ensure women and men are represented among our guests and experts, use inclusive language, and encourage respectful dialogue throughout the program.”
When preparing the transcript or episode summary, the team advises applicants to go beyond simply summarizing the discussion. They say, “Your transcript or episode summary should explain why the episode matters. Highlight the problem being discussed, whose voices are included, the expert recommendations, and how the program promotes gender equality.”
Another piece of advice is to highlight the partnerships that strengthen a program. The team explains, “Many applicants focus only on the program itself and forget to describe their production process and partnerships. We included information about the organizations we work with because those partnerships strengthen the program and help extend its impact beyond the radio broadcast.”
Above all, the team encourages broadcasters not to underestimate the value of their work. They say, “Don’t underestimate the value of your work. If your program is helping people, changing attitudes, or giving a voice to those who are often unheard, then you already have a story worth telling. Be specific, be honest, and focus on the difference your program makes in people’s lives. Judges want to see impact, commitment, and innovation—not just large budgets.”
Find the application forms for the Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio in the Opportunities section. And learn more about good application submissions in this Broadcaster how-to guide.