Pakistani Women Get Their Voices Heard

Women journalists in Pakistan have begun producing the country's first independent syndicated radio programs that feature women as both producers and subjects under a unique training project developed by Internews and the Uks Foundation, a Pakistani organization promoting balanced coverage of women in the media.

The radio show is called "Meri Awaz Suno" ("Hear My Voice") and has agreements to air on five of the six new independent radio stations reaching across Pakistan. A recently produced program discussed educational opportunities for girls and women in Pakistan.

Another is about HIV/AIDS and includes the first ever broadcast in Pakistan of an HIV positive person's own words and story.

The practice of suara, an old tradition that continues to this day in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, is covered in a third program. Suara is the practice whereby a daughter is given away to one's enemy to end a rivalry.

Tasneem Ahmar, Director of the Uks Foundation and Executive Producer of the Uks Radio Project, has worked for many years to improve the coverage and participation of women in Pakistani media. "This project is geared towards playing an important role in changing attitudes for a positive and better future of women in Pakistan." she said.

Internews' projects in Pakistan are funded by a grant from the United States Agency for International Development.

Temporarily available at http://www.internews.org/news/2004/20040108_pak.html

Source: Internews Pakistan

Additional source:

The Drum Beat (Issue 344, 24 April, 2006) states that:

“According to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, only 3% of Pakistan's journalists are women. Launched in connection with International Women's Day (March 7), "Meri Awaz Suno" is an Urdu-language radio programme produced by Pakistani women journalists to raise issues affecting both women and children. Produced entirely by a team of 5 young women, the magazine-style programme covers a diverse range of issues, including women parliamentarians, women in sports, honour killing, child labour, HIV/AIDS, girls' education, and daycare for working mothers. High-profile women such as Pakistan's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, have appeared on the programme.”