Hamari Awaz (Our Voice) Radio - Pakistan

In 1999, Sarsabz Foundation launched Hamari Awaz (Our Voice) as part of its Radio Faisalabad station in an effort to give women in Pakistan a forum, a voice, and the skills necessary to articulate their need to transform unequal gender relations. The 30-minute programme focussed on socio-economic and political issues of interest to women. The purpose was to discuss the problems faced by the women during the local body elections; to provide them accurate information; and to offer solutions to their problems in clear and easy-to-understand language. The project was part of a larger effort to:

• Empower women - through information tools - to increase their visibility and highlight their achievements as primary agents of development;
• Develop advocacy and linkages with relevant government agencies and departments;
• Disseminate information to women listeners about how to deal with different issues, by using formats such as discussion and story telling; and
• Help women to develop their talents and encourage them in their endeavours.

Main Communication Summaries
Broadcast in Urdu, Hamari Awaz's 24 programmes were aired twice a week from 12:00 to 12:25 a.m. Organisers formed listening groups to increase the reach of the broadcast and to engage women in dialogue about the issues raised. Sixteen listener groups were established in 8 union councils with the help of social activists. Each group included 15-20 community women, female councilors, and a group coordinator. The latter facilitated the group members in issue raising, discussion, and filling out a questionnaire after each broadcast. This questionnaire offered feedback detailed suggestions for future broadcasts, and was sent back to the Sarsabz Foundation every week. Supporting material was produced in the form of posters, booklets, and flyers in simple local language. The objective of this package was to strengthen information transfer, supplementing and sometimes providing information not already covered in the radio programme.

The programme itself began with a 10-minute modelling of an Aj Ki Union Council session, followed by a brief report. Next, the Community Corner involved field staff recording the public's opinions about the practices of their own union councils and their perceptions of their Public Representatives. Then, a 5-minute interview session presented one outstanding woman as a role model. This was followed by an information report on women's rights, international laws, and national action plans related to rights issues. Finally, listeners were encouraged to call in to ask questions, directly participate in the programme, and share their views.