In the first phase of the project, more than 60 women, representing 18 women’s associations, were trained as facilitators. These associations carry out various activities, including supporting women entrepreneurs, setting up mutual aid, savings and credit schemes, and carrying out community work and literacy campaigns. During the training, the participants discussed many issues, such as the role of women in society, women and agriculture, opportunities for the development of women, and the need to encourage women entrepreneurs.

“All of these issues were discussed in a spirit of change. The women openly discussed their lives and the many challenges they face, in particular their exclusion from decision making and the heavy burden of working in the fields.” Journalists from the Bureau d’Etudes et de Liaison des Activités Caritatives de Développement (BELACD) radio station attended the training sessions to record the discussions.

In the second phase, the project helped the newly trained facilitators to set up listening groups among members of their associations. Audy Magazine provided each group with a radio, enabling them to listen to the recorded discussions, which were broadcast three times a week. After each broadcast, the facilitators encouraged the group members to reflect on the discussions and to suggest new topics for discussion.

Economic development, Women, Gender, Agriculture

“As women are often prevented from using the radio at home by their husbands, the listening groups offer many of them an unprecedented opportunity to listen to the radio and to discuss issues that are important to their lives.”