Many radio broadcasters will understand the challenges of engaging women on the radio, as many women have less confidence speaking on air, or may lack access to technologies—including radio sets and mobile phones—or the confidence to use these technologies. In March 2023, CORACON (Collectif des radios et télévisions communautaires du Nord-Kivu) brought together 45 leaders, 65% of whom were women, for a round table discussion on “Women’s participation in media content: current situation, challenges and measures to be taken.”
CORACON has been supporting women’s efforts for several years now. This year, they followed the UNESCO theme of “For an Inclusive Digital World: Innovation and Technologies for Gender Equality.” In the Democratic Republic of Congo, International Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme “Equal Digital Education for Peace and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in the DRC.”
According to Crispine Ngena, the coordinator of the Congo Mwinda group, who closely followed the campaign, the actions carried out were a success.
In her interview with Radio Go-FM journalist Natasha Sekeraviti, Madame Aline Ndaliko, along with other entrepreneurs and media professionals in North Kivu, spoke about the benefits of using digital technology for business and to seek new opportunities. “Women need to learn how to use the Internet. I have launched two products on the market, a medical soap and beauty oil, and I sell thanks to social networks,” she says.
On the issue of women who shy away from using the internet for fear of cybercrime, Mrs. Ndaliko believes that this should not be an obstacle, and recommends that women who use digital technologies learn to protect themselves. Radio Soleil in Butembo has created a program addressing cyber harassment to address this issue, and invited Maitre Lydie Kake, a lawyer, to participate.
According to a survey conducted by CORACON in the second half of 2022, women are less engaged than men in traditional and modern media for a variety of reasons. They found that 73% of people who spoke on the radio were men, and only 27% were women. This survey was carried out over a period of six months on a sample of seven radio stations in North Kivu.
When they discussed the research at the roundtable event, some participants felt that it was journalists who often failed to involve women and girls. Others believe, on the other hand, that many women do not want to talk to the media. Participants in the roundtable, made up of journalists, civil society members, students, citizens, women from political parties, and scientists, examined the socio-cultural factors that hinder women in their relationship with traditional and digital media.
This story is adapted from an article written by CORACON Collectif des radios et télévisions communautaires du Nord-Kivu, called “Les femmes des radios communautaires et l’usage du numérique.” To read the full story, go to: https://coracondrc.com/8-mars-2023-les-femmes-des-radios-communautaires-et-lusage-du-numerique/ [1]