Poverty is not just about the lack of access to resources
but also limited access to information and communication.
As the operators of Fiji and the Pacific's only mobile
women's community radio initiative femTALK89.2FM we look forward to
continue to use "the suitcase radio" as a critical bridge between
urban and rural communities, giving voice to the voiceless by serving as a
channel of information and communication for the marginalized.
Because we have the ability to take the suitcase radio to
women in their communities, we are able to assist in not only increasing
awareness of the feminization of poverty but also offering communities an
information and communication channel of their own to reach policy makers
and offer their solutions to poverty eradication.
We look forward to strengthening partnerships to increase
recognition of the role of community radio as a recognized component for
inclusive communication and strengthening democratic processes in society
and peacebuilding.
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Young women in Fiji
continue have an opportunity to define and produce community radio
programmes, that reflect their issues, and the issues of their communities
through a young women's project that is creating a cadre of community radio
broadcasters in Fiji.
Called
"Generation Next - A New Vision for a Peaceful Tomorrow", this
project builds on femLINKPACIFIC's ongoing commitment to the development of
young women as producers of their own media content.
And according to
femLINKPACIFIC Coordinator, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, this is also about
investing in the next generation of women and peace advocates:
"In May 2004
when femLINKPACIFIC first launched its suitcase radio, femTALK 89.2FM, a
group of St Joseph's Secondary School students were the first hosts of the
monthly radio broadcasts in Suva. One of those students, Narisha Karan
continues to serve as a community radio broadcast volunteer with the
Generation Next project. Several of our trainees since the introduction of
femTALK 89.2FM continue to lead and direct this project as well use the
radio station as a platform for their own advocacy. Veena Singh who
has been a long time child rights advocate is our link with Save the
Children Fiji; Ana Rakacikaci who joined us through the Catholic Women's
League is stepping up to take on the role of a rural correspondent for the
Central and Eastern Division; the representatives of the women's committee
of the Fiji Disabled People's Association are developing and producing
programmes about their issues, and our team leader for the past year, Eta
Rabuatoka will be working closely to understudy the national operations of
our community radio project here in Fiji in 2008, as well as help with any
regional expansion plans, so this is definitely about investing in the next
generation."
Commencing
tomorrow, the Generation Next Team will meet at femLINKPACIFIC's community
media centre in Suva to review and plan the next six months of weekend
community radio broadcasts as well as identify issues that they feel are
important given Fiji's current political situation:
"We really
want young women to be heard because we are the next generation here in
Fiji and we would like to claim our space in decision making for a peaceful
Fiji," says Eta Rabuatoka.
Three new
volunteers are joining the community radio team, one of whom is
Sulueti Waqa, a 2nd year university student, who was introduced to the
project when femLINKPACIFIC visited her community in Ba: "This is
a chance for me to talk about our rural issues, here in Suva, especially
the high cost of living and education costs, that people like my
family living at the Ba HART settlement are facing," she said.
"Vinaka-Shukriya,
Peace"
Sharon Bhagwan Rolls
Coordinator: femLINKPACIFIC-Media Initiatives for Women
"We exist to
empower women and communities to fully participate in decision making for
equality, development and peace"
Direct # 679 3310303, Mobile # 679 9244871
Community Media Centre contact details:
Postal Address: P O Box 2439, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji Islands
CMC # 679 3318160, Ph/Fax # 679 3307207
http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj:80/
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