To the heart of the Silk Road

We started with a trip to Afghanistan’s third-largest city, Herat, in the west, 700 kilometres from Kabul. This city was at the heart of the ancient Silk Road and it is breath-taking, famous for its ancient sites, its arts and culture.

On our journey we passed four minarets commissioned 700 years ago by the powerful Mughul queen Gawhardshad Begum, which have survived decades of bombings by Soviet and then American forces. To me, they signify elegance and strength – much like the young women we were about to meet for our programmes, Open Jirga, and our new online show, WhatMatters2U, focused on young people.

In Herat, I found myself moderating a discussion among 30 young women, including small business owners, software designers, engineers, and a group of girls who are Afghanistan’s first and only girls’ robotics team.

A new generation of women

These young women represent a new generation. They have overcome deeply entrenched patriarchal culture and traditions to get an education, and to achieve in fields that are not traditional for women in even more equal societies. The fame of the girls’ robotics team has travelled far beyond the boundaries of this conservative province and even outside of Afghanistan itself.

In my work I have heard so many stories of women abused and deprived of their most basic rights – to education, to proper health care, to grow up before being married and bearing children. Herat remains deeply conservative, with some of the highest reported rates of violence against women in the country. Domestic abuse is so pervasive that the town’s main hospital even has a dedicated ward for female survivors of self-immolation – linked to severe abuse and extreme domestic violence.

And yet here stood these young women, with a line-up of high-tech devices – their creations - on display. Sumaya, the captain of the robotics’ team, proudly shared with our group a medical device first created from old car parts. “This is an alternative machine to a ventilator. We invented this to save lives during this pandemic,” she said.

'Against the dominant beliefs of society'

But Sumaya and her team also spoke of the many hurdles that block progress for Afghan women – a feeling echoed by many of the comments during the show. We broadcast this episode as a Facebook Live which drew a quarter of a million viewers, who joined our studio audience in asking questions of these remarkable women. How might women in other parts of the country learn these skills, when so many do not have access to education? Why can women not have support to achieve in technology?

‘What we make is against the dominant beliefs in our society. Making hardware and software is not perceived as a woman’s expertise,” said one of our participants, a software designer. Despite her achievements, she too has felt limited by cultural restrictions and constant threat of violence, and said she is virtually stuck in this corner of Afghanistan. “I couldn’t go to Kabul to receive an award for one of our products, due to safety concerns and family restrictions,” she said.

The mothers of these young women also joined the show, and I asked them what it has taken to realise their daughters’ dreams. The mother of one of the young women on the robotics team described the pain and worry she feels over her daughter’s achievements.

“When my daughter steps out of the house, and until she returns, my heart is pounding, worrying about her safety. But most painful is [knowing] the negative beliefs of society, towards girls going out of home and doing what is seen as taboo,” she said. “I have said to save the future of this country, we have to pay the price and go through endless hardship.”

The city without women

With her words in my ears, our next stop was Kandahar, 300 kilometres to the south and Afghanistan’s second-largest city. It was my first trip here and when we arrived, I thought of it as ‘the city without women’, as there were no women to be seen on the streets - women are expected to remain at home, out of sight.

This is the heartland of the Taliban, which forbids girls’ education and progress, and still controls some of its districts.

In this conservative setting, we had decided to do something unprecedented: an all-women show, inviting 50  women to ask questions of a panel that included Afghanistan’s Minister of the Economy, one of few women in Cabinet.

We expected many to refuse. Many had journeys to the studio that took them directly through areas of conflict. Yet 47 of the 50 invited women turned up. Despite the hardship and the risk, these women wanted to be heard.

The best Women's Day gift - equality

In all of our sessions, we had to take security precautions – both against COVID-19, and against the threat of violence. To protect against the virus, we held our sessions outdoors, ensured everyone washed their hands and wore masks, and ensured physical distance between guests. And to help protect these women against repercussions for participating, we invited them to keep their faces covered if they wished, and ensured none of our participants were named.

Yet few were discouraged from speaking. The best Women’s Day gift, one said, would be if her family and her society would respect her and treat her as an equal human being. Another wanted to study what she was interested in – journalism and broadcasting – instead of Islamic studies, as her family insisted.

But the one whose voice will remain with me was a 40-something mother who arrived a few minutes late. She was among the first to raise her hand to speak – but when she did, she broke down in tears. Her journey to make herself heard, she said, had almost cost her her life, as she had found herself caught in an armed battle between the Taliban and government forces.

'We deserve a normal life'

“There is fighting in our district every day,” she said. “We are exhausted and shattered by bullets and bombs.”

After the show, I pulled her aside. Why had she gone through such danger to attend our show? She told me simply that she wanted our panel, and the world, to know that Afghanistan women needed to breathe. They deserve a normal life.

Open Jirga is ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action’s long-running debate and discussion programme covering issues of national importance for Afghans. WhatMatters2U is a social media-led debate and discussion programme aimed at young audiences, particularly women and girls. Both are funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

“The best person to advocate for a girl is the girl herself,” says 16-year-old Tamu in Sierra Leone.

Tamu is co-presenting on a special episode of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action radio programme Wae Gyal Pikin Tinap (‘When a Girl Child Stands Strong’) to mark International Women’s Day 2021. The episode looks at this year’s theme - #choosetochallenge - through the eyes of girls: how girls see inequity in Sierra Leone, which everyday difficulties and imbalances most affect them, and how they would like those around them to stand with them on calling out these issues.

As a guest co-presenter, Tamu works alongside the show’s regular presenters, conducting interviews, helping to choose guests and introducing themes and segments.

Life can be tough for girls in Sierra Leone, who tend to have lower school attendance and higher drop-out rates than boys, as well as a high incidence of early marriage and early pregnancy.

The girls talk about inequality in education, where girls are not sent to school as frequently as boys, and the distribution of household chores which tend to fall to girls, as well as more serious issues like rape and early marriage.

Some girls in Sierra Leone say they don’t feel able to talk about inequities and challenges with adults around them. But in her role as co-presenter, Tamu encourages girls to find their voices and speak out, and calls on others to stand with them against inequality:

“If you try to advocate for yourself, then other people can come and help you. We can’t stand up on our own – we need everyone to stand up with us. But if we girls just sit back, people will think that we are okay with what is happening to us - when in reality we are really not okay.”

When a girl stands strong

Tamu is the latest young co-presenter in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action’s girls’ empowerment radio show. Produced nationally, and broadcast weekly on over 60 radio stations in Sierra Leone, Wae Gyal Pikin Tinap is the show which sees the world through the stories and experiences of girls.

It aims to create a more positive and supportive environment around marginalised girls in Sierra Leone – particularly those who are not in education - by showing audiences what girls can achieve when they are valued, listened to, encouraged and given more equal opportunities.

It is a girl-led, girl-centred format that marks an innovative new approach to girls’ empowerment. “As a young girl, I wanted my voice to be heard,” says 17-year-old Mary, another recent co-presenter.

“Society thinks that it’s best to make decisions for us - but it’s the opposite. I hope parents, caregivers, and society listening to the programme will change their mindset about girls and will give girls the right and chance to make decisions.”

Wae Gyal Pikin Tinap focuses less on problems and more on solutions – including ideas and solutions which girls have found for themselves. The approach is changing the way girls are seen in their families and communities.

“Whenever I listen to the programme, I call to other children around the community - not just my daughter – to come and listen to the stories of their colleagues,” says one mother in the rural district of Kono. Her own teenage daughter has dropped out of school, but she feels inspired by the girls voices she hears in the show. “I love the program as they interview girls to tell their stories,” she told the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action research team.

Choosing to challenge – by girls for girls

A father who listens to the programme calls his teenage son to join him when the show comes on: “The children they use to participate on air are very bold and I like that a lot. In fact, I use that to motivate my son. The most interesting part of the programme for me is when they involve the kids in it. It is very important, and it is a motivating factor for most kids around the district.”

As well as the national show, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action journalism mentors are also training and supporting 18 local radio stations to produce their own local versions of the show – with the aim of showcasing local examples, services and solutions to help generate and spark community discussions around the issues raised.

It’s a first step towards changing the media culture in Sierra Leone, to put more voices of women and girls on air - and to allow girls themselves to lead discussions around girls’ empowerment.

For the girls who have taken part in the programmes, it already feels like that change is happening.

“Being on Wae Gyal Pikin Tinap was like being part of the new era already unfolding - and it felt great!” says 19-year-old Millicentia Boateng, another previous co-presenter. “Discussing girls’ issues is an inspiration especially to myself - to do more, live more and inspire more. I hope people who've heard me on the radio look at things from my eye’s view and protect girls.’’

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Wae Gyal Pikin Tinap is part of the EAGER project – which is funded by UK Aid from the UK government. Learn more about the project . 

Our aim is to enable women in Somalia to overcome the barriers they face in accessing the labour market, and so tackle the hardships that result from poverty, conflict and a clan-based culture which promotes strict male hierarchy and authority. Religious and cultural limitations also impact women’s role and societal status.

Our project, Somali Women's Economic Empowerment and Transformation (SWEET), helps enhance business skills, builds networks, and overcomes cultural myths and norms around the status of women in the community, in part by including religious leaders in our discussions. We also provide Somali people with public platforms to discuss issues surrounding women entrepreneurship, including success stories from role models, and the cultural norms that hinder women’s success in the business world, through our Facebook and Twitter pages and our work with five local radio stations, producing localised programmes in their regions.

Celebrating real-life successes

This local work is accompanied by a national radio drama featuring real-life success stories of women in business, and how they overcame negative myths and cultural norms; it also invites audiences to interact by discussing ‘dilemma’ questions.

For instance, Fardaus, who is 24 and the proud owner of a boutique in Hargeisa, told me that her aunt helped her to convince her father to agree to her business, and support her financially to realise her dream.

"The more my business grew, the more I became independent," she told me, smiling. "I have also inspired many young women in setting up small businesses.’’ Faurdaus is a university graduate with a degree in computer science; she now hopes to build on her success with a chain of boutiques in cities across Somaliland.

Despite all the challenges women entrepreneurs encounter in Somalia, they are showing that they are up to the challenge of being skilled business operators, often while also balancing their more traditional roles.

By encouraging dialogue among men and women, providing information on business opportunities, training in financial management and ‘soft skills’ like customer relations, and providing access to business networks and financial services, we believe these women are empowered for a better future for themselves and for their community and society.

SWEET is supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) - learn more about the project here.

Broadcasting from 6 am to midnight, the station has an active Facebook page, but delivering news and information is a constant challenge, says Patricia, with only two outdated computers to share.

“We don’t have [enough] modern equipment like computers to ease our work. Sometimes we have to use phones to file our news stories. Another major challenge in our story collection is inadequate transport which deter our efforts to reach remote areas, where the real issues are,” she says.

But despite the odds, Patricia is proud of the role her station has played in sharing important information about the political process, particularly in the run-up to expected Zambian elections next year. They have also covered stories that range from the importance of rainwater harvesting to protect against drought, to addressing tribalism and discrimination in the country.

She describes how the station covers stories of marginalised people in Livingstone, including human interest stories about people with disabilities, older people and children, and social issues such as a proposed social cash transfer programme by government.

“I remember one story of a girl with a disability who had qualified to go to university but was not admitted because of the lack of physical facilities. After a public radio debate about this discrimination, she has since been enrolled into university.”

Knowing our fundamental rights as women

She faces additional challenges which she attributes to attitudes toward gender in a traditional society. “Sources take advantage of us as women by making indirect sexual advances when we are sourcing for information,” she says. “Sometimes they do not take us seriously.”

This is, she says, where the partnership with ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action has been particularly supportive for her. In addition to working with the station on editorial content and standards, she says ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action has helped her develop as a journalist and better understand her own rights. She encourages other young female journalists to not be intimidated and to rely on their ethics, and encourages partner radio stations to provide more support to their female journalists.

“ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action has been a great partner and all I am today, I owe to them. Apart from the media work they have a special component of safeguarding that has taught us to be aware of our fundamental rights as women and what to do if we are being taken advantage of by men in the course of our duties,” she says.

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Chishaba Masengu is a mentor for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action in Zambia
Our 'Radio Waves' project is funded by The Swedish International development Agency, find out more here.

But Emmanuel's story is uncommon. Many people in South Sudan believe a girl should be doing the domestic chores such as cooking, fetching water and collecting firewood whilst the boys look after the animals, go hunting or build huts. These attitudes originate from beliefs that women are weak and men strong - and these roles defined by gender are entrenched beyond the home and even into schools.

Emmanuel's mother, Doruka says she appreciates that her son does chores which are traditionally given to girls to do. "My son Emmanuel likes helping his sisters with work at home and even me his mother. He sweeps, even washes utensils, he cooks too and they do their work equally."

She goes on to stress why her children sharing the chores is beneficial, saying "they work equally, it means they all get time for their studies. This makes his sisters very happy that they are not being discriminated against."

She told our producer she brought up and taught her children to work together from early childhood and hopes more is also done by schools to ensure tasks given to girls and boys are divided equally, and not decided by gender.

In some schools girls are often pulled from class to assist with jobs, such as making breakfast or lunch for teachers or fetching water while boys stay in lessons or play.

Challenging discrimination in schools

In the same episode, we interviewed Head Teacher, Sipura Kiden in Juba who says she now assigns the same tasks to pupils at her school regardless of gender. "During the hot days we ask boys and girls to dig the holes for the iron poles for the sunshades, so that people can sit under shade. The pupils - both boys and girls - dig the holes" she says.

In Yambio, when we aired a programme in Zande language about girls being called out of the classroom to cook (whilst others remain in the lesson), a male school teacher called into the show saying "it is totally wrong to send a pupil to the kitchen while you are teaching others in the class, if I want to give work to students it will be when there is no lesson because all of them paid to come and learn."

On behalf of teachers he continued to have his say "I am appealing to school administrations for equality in the schools, if there is work to be done it should be given to both boys and girls.''

It was rewarding that our programmes are inspiring support for change by showing listeners how people like Sipura and Emmanuel are challenging gender norms - and leading by example to bring about positive change.

Pressing for progress

After this show I spoke with Florence about growing up in South Sudan and the impact of gender discrimination on her life. She described gunshots at her school, the fear of attending and the social and cultural norms which all stack against girls completing their education. In her childhood, she said she was doing all the work "meant for girls" and her brothers did the work "meant for boys".

She said it was refreshing to help listeners connect with a young (and male!) role model, who broke the mould. "I've been inspired by some men and boys who do share work equally with their wives or sisters to make sure that girls are not overworked and can study," she says.

Through 'Our School' we're reaching many different girls, some who have dropped out of school, but decided to return because they now understand the importance of education after listening to the programme. I'm happy that Emmanuel's story helped people hear about the issues girls face from a different perspective - and show how and why change is a good thing whatever your gender.

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'Our School' - funded by DFID through the Girls' Education South Sudan (GESS) project is produced by team of local producers and broadcasts in nine languages.

The stories from Dis Na Wi Voice are amplified on - the largest in the country. And quite often now we tell digital first stories. If we can't cover it on Dis Na Wi Voice we creatively tell it online.

What is important to them, is important to us.

True to it's name Dis Na Wi Voice was created to tell the the stories of women, by women, for women. The show's presenters, Eastina Massaquoi and Mariatu Kabba boldly bring women's issues to the fore, challenging stereotypes and inspiring women to take action to improve their own lives.

Everyday our team of passionate radio and social media journalists are examining the barriers preventing women and people with disability from making significant gains in their quest for representation and equality, both as prospective political candidates - and as voters.

While structural barriers remain the strongest force against women and people with disabilities seeking office in Sierra Leone, age-old myths and misconceptions also have a heavy influence on attitudes.

These entrenched beliefs won't change overnight but there are positive signs of progress. We spoke with Abu Bakarr, a listener in Kabala, northern Sierra Leone, who described how his prejudice changed after listening to Dis Na Wi Voice: "From what I have heard from the guests [on the show], I have understood that disability has nothing to do with witchcraft or a curse. If a disabled person runs for office and has all the qualifications that I am looking for, I will certainly vote them into any position in this country."

Pressing for progress

Challenges remain. Veteran campaigner Maude Peacock, spoke on Dis Na Wi Voice of her disappointment that although women made a strong statement of intent by putting themselves forward as potential candidates, they were denied party nominations. "It's sad, but we're not giving up," she said adding although women had been "shattered", they were not "battered" by the setback.

But women who are involved in politics are making it clear they are campaigning on an equal footing with male candidates. At a recent national debate ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action supported, women representing the leading political parties addressed important social and economic issues affecting the whole country, challenging traditional expectations that women only discuss women's issues.

For me and my team working on this project, we share Maude's mentality: the need to keep working, driven by the aspiration that we will one day experience shifts in attitudes that can bar women and people with disabilities from what every other Sierra Leonean enjoys-basic rights and equal opportunities.

We will keep pressing for progress.

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Ed Kargbo is the Head of Production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ media Action in Sierra Leone

India: Kitty

“My father had just one regret in life that I’m a girl…”

Kitty is one of the key characters in (which means ‘half full’ in Hindi), a TV drama exploring many of the trials teenagers face while growing up in India. Kitty will prove to anyone that girls and boys are equal. A free-spirit, full of ‘josh’ (unbridled energy in Hindi), breaks every boundary that ties her down as nothing is ‘impossible’ for her.

Syria: Archi

“She’s escaped with her life – but her restaurant, has been completely destroyed in the blast. Gazing back at the ruins, Archi has already resolved to rebuild what she has lost…”

Businesswoman Archi – played by actor Najwa Kondakji - is a feisty and determined character in (Airport District), a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action radio drama. Set in a fictional city suburb in Syria, it follows the daily lives of residents as they cope with the impact of prolonged war.

One young listener living in a refugee camp in Lebanon told us he could relate to Archi’s resolve to revive her business. “I feel like I have her determination too.” 

Ethiopia: Warite

Ethiopian radio drama (meaning ‘solution from within’ in Oromiffa), revolves around 18-year-old Warite. Played by actor Hanna Adem, Warite is a sparky young woman who enjoys her life, despite facing hardship. After her father is murdered Warite leaves school early to care for her sick mother and the cattle on their farm.

When a character is rushed to hospital with a serious lung problem Warite and her two male admirers look for practical solutions – such as using stoves and lamps that use ‘cleaner’ technology and improving ventilation in the home.

The drama – which forms part of a project called Air We Breathe - shines a light on indoor air pollution in Ethiopia.

Nepal: Maala

Maala is the dyanamic narrator of (Garland of Stories) – a radio drama helping people in Nepal to rebuild lives following the devastating 2015 earthquake. In the first series Maala goes from door to door selling milk – helping people she encounters - and in series two, she trains as a mason to rebuild homes in her village, a job traditionally undertaken by men.

Listeners describe Maala as ‘inspiring’ and a ‘role model’ and say her practical advice and can-do spirit is a reminder to them to take action within their communities.

Bangladesh: Anika

“She is really good at her studies. Why do you want to marry her off at this age?”

Anika is the hero of (Sailing Against the Tide) a TV drama devised by ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action in Bangladesh. She’s a clever, confident young woman who is married at the age of 16 despite wanting to finish her education. Despite her early marriage, she decides to train as a health worker.

The drama – which aired for three seasons – raised awareness of the importance of regular antenatal check-ups, birth preparedness and newborn care. Our research showed that viewers knew more about antenatal care than non-viewers and were more likely to plan antenatal check-ups.

South Sudan: Mama Sunday

is a popular weekly radio drama broadcast across South Sudan. Lulu is a fictitious village home to a variety of colourful characters.

A central figure in the drama is Lulu village elder, Mama Sunday, a woman everyone looks up to. She is the village peacemaker. Her role is truly tested when people displaced by the conflict in South Sudan set up camp across the river from Lulu. This dynamic sets the stage for much drama, as tensions rise, misunderstandings and rumours flare up between the new residents and villagers. Peace on both sides of the river is threatened and only Mama Sunday can bring harmony, inspiring peace through dialogue and encouraging understanding of difference.

“What I have learnt is that women contribute a good idea when it comes to issues of resolving issues. It was a woman who came of an idea that led to resolving issues that aroused between the community of Lulu and the people across the river”. Male research participant, Torit.

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action isn't funded by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s licence fee and depends on the generous support of donors. Help our work.

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ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔwork vs housework

Stella’s story is a common one. Many people in South Sudan believe a girl should be doing housework, not homework. Whole communities of girls are prevented from getting an education for fear that they will lose respect for time-old traditions that place women firmly in the home.

Stella had wanted to sneak into school with the boys from her village but the prospect was daunting, “We didn’t know people in town and were scared that we’d get lost on the way,” she says.

Her father finally relented once convinced of the future economic benefits of educating his daughters.

“My father only gave my sisters and I permission to go to school when he realised the benefits school had on my brother,” she says.

“My brother… has bought many cows for my father…paying for him to travel between the village and town by car whenever he wants.”

Like Stella’s father, Lopeyok a father and community elder changed his mind about school being a ‘dangerous place’ for girls.

“Now I have realised that the school is good for girls, I am ready to pay for my daughter’s school fees” he tells Tina. “If they ask me anything for school I have cows that I will sell for my children to study.”

I want to be a doctor

Despite starting school relatively late, Stella is working hard to achieve her dreams.

“It won’t take me long to finish my school” she says defiantly. “I want to be a doctor to serve…my community.” She’s aware of how different things could have been: “If I had remained in the village up until now, I would already be married, have many children – and be working on the land.”

I hope her story is an inspiration for all our listeners - girls, parents and community leaders. The more that fathers realise that educating their daughters is beneficial for their family, community and country, the more that girls will realise their potential.

Our School – funded by DFID through the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) project – is produced by a team of local producers and broadcasts in nine languages.

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action isn't funded by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s licence fee and depends on the generous support of donors. Help our work.

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Role models

In a recent episode of , a podcast run by two Nepali women, they described Chapagain as a role model for the way she tackles important issues. Podcaster and journalist Bhrikuti Rai said that she looks up to (or as she puts it “fan-girls”) the presenter because of ‘the way she conducts herself in Sajha Sawal’, because she ‘acts as the bridge between people and the authorities’ and ‘challenges people who need to be challenged’.

The number of women registered with the Federation of Nepalese Journalists is 1,613, out of a total of 10,077– just 16%. All newsrooms in Nepal are headed by men. During interactions between women journalists, challenges they face because of their gender is often the centre of discussion.

“The number of females working in the media has increased, but it’s only quantitative growth,” says Poonam Poudel, a broadcaster of 20 years. “In Nepali society, where a woman has to constantly prove herself as daughter-in-law and wife, women find it difficult to continue jobs that demand their time 24/7. She has to compete with men, who don’t face the same kind of social challenges.”

Mentoring

“I think women across all newsrooms, online, print and broadcast need good mentorship from the beginning,” says the podcast blogger, Bhrikuti, on the issue of retaining more female journalists.

When women are hired as reporters, many are handed beats like ‘women and children’ and ‘lifestyle’. Yet if women are given a chance to lead the effect is powerful.

The impact on the social milieu of having a woman presenter for a political debate show is subtle but important. When Bidhya talks to women across the country, she instantly puts them at ease and encourages them to speak their mind. Moreover, when you have a woman in an influential editorial role, it makes other women feel that having a voice isn’t entirely impossible. That’s what makes Bidhya a role model for many women and girls around the country.

Having strong female role models outside mainstream media is important too.

“We see our podcast as a way to start a more uninhibited conversation around Nepali feminism and an uninhibited sharing and shaming of the misogyny in Nepali media,” said Itisha Giri, also of BojuBajai.

If we are to achieve a more gender-balanced media, the only way to do it is to encourage young female journalists to get out there, find and tell stories across every available channel.

Tips for aspiring female journalists

Find a mentor
Get as much training and varied experience as you can
Join a women’s journalism network

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action is not funded by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s licence fee and depends on the generous support of donors. Help our work.

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For International Women’s Day (8 March 2016), YoKi – a writer and director for TV series Love 9 – describes how the women who inspire her work are “everyday superheroes”.

I'm one of a very small number of female TV directors in Cambodia.

My work helps raise awareness of the issues facing women. Until recently, I produced a youth TV series called Love9, consisting of a 30-minute drama and a 15-minute discussion programme featuring sexual health experts. Using drama to tackle sexual health issues is really effective because everyone loves a good love story!

On a personal level I hope I can inspire women to do what they want, even if it's taking a traditionally male career path like directing. Women need to work in the media industry to make sure there's a female voice out there.

In Cambodia, when it comes to sex, there are many customs about what women can and can’t do. Even talking about it on TV was a first. Sometimes people thought we were too bold - featuring taboo topics in our Love9 storylines. But by confronting these taboos, Love9 is also empowering young women with solutions.

For Valentine’s Day, we produced a addressing the pressures women face on this day. Young women can often be shy when talking about sexual issues. With the help of well known young Cambodians, the film helped provide a new perspective on the rights and choices people have before consenting to sex.

Each week we receive hundreds of comments on social media from people who are inspired by our female role models. It makes me proud to see the show so positively embraced by society, especially the younger generation – who are my inspiration.

Super women

Stories need heroes, but in Cambodian films or dramas, they are almost exclusively men. I’m thankful that I get to write and direct parts for women – super women – who often face tough choices in their relationships, about contraceptives, their sexual partners and their lives.

One day, I hope our society will be in a place where both men and women work together equally. But for now, what I do makes a difference in encouraging women – all those real super heroes – to be brave talking about sensitive issues in their lives and to make safer choices.

Read more inspiring stories of how women around the world are using media to make waves.

For International Women’s Day 2016, Stellah – a presenter for a community radio station in Nairobi – explains how she’s using radio as a platform to inspire young women to succeed.

I’m a volunteer radio presenter at Mtaani Radio, a community based radio station in Nairobi, Kenya. I’ve been doing this for close to two years now. You know what they say, practice makes perfect and so I’m just practicing my talent and hopefully this will pay off some day.

During my two years at the station, I’ve been lucky enough to be supported by Davie, a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action mentor who has helped me plan my show, communicate more effectively and create content that’s relevant to listeners.

His advice has helped the station produce shows and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that use the power of radio to share different ways people can – like washing hands with soap before preparing food to avoid conditions like diarrhoea.

On International Women’s Day, we’ll be broadcasting a special radio show looking at the issues confronting women in my community, such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and early marriage. As a female radio presenter, it’s easier for me to relate to the issues that women in my community face – and radio is a powerful platform to help encourage change.

I feel very proud when young girls come up to me in the street or post on Facebook to tell me that they had been inspired by the show.

While presenting, I’m always thinking about how I can guide young people and inspire them in a positive way. My latest show was on ‘success’, where I got local business leaders and role models to help show my listeners that through hard work and determination, they can get to where they want to be.

I believe that the majority of problems we have on earth are as a result of you and me, so if you and me can work together, then we can make the world a better place.

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For International Women's Day, Bidhya Chapagain describes her journey from farmer's daughter to presenter for a national debate show in Nepal, Sajha Sawal (Common Questions).

As a farmer’s daughter growing up in a village in Nepal, I used to dream of becoming a journalist and being able to shape my own future. My mother was only 12 when she married and she supported my hopes because she wanted a better life for me. Access to education and information was key - they unlocked doors for me.

Now as the presenter of a TV and radio debate show I have become a role model for many women and girls. I’m giving them information and by seeing me on screen and hearing me on air, I hope I will encourage them to live their dreams.

In one show, we asked police representatives some tough questions about why the families of women injured and even killed by their in-laws found it so hard to secure justice. In another we made television history in Nepal when were able to ask questions of our first female president.

Family support

This year for International Women’s Day we have invited the parents of successful women onto . It is the family – in the first instance - that motivates and encourages women and girls, and supports girls’ education. I hope our programme will encourage the family members to be proud of having a girl in their family.

When I travel around Nepal people stop and share their problems with me – even in the very remote places, they want my help. We can put pressure on those in power – and we can also show the human face of the challenges facing women and girls.

I was on location filming earlier this year when living in a camp for people displaced by the earthquake asked to speak to me privately. She told me that older men had already asked for her hand in marriage but she wanted to stay at school – she didn’t want to get married – not yet. “I want to be educated and help my village,” she told me. Her story and her courage touched thousands of people all over the world, not only those who saw her on Sajha Sawal in Nepal, but those on YouTube, on Facebook, on Twitter. It’s a testimony to the power of the media to connect people from very different worlds.

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For International Women’s Day 2016, the presenter and producer of Leh Wi Know shares how she’s using radio to help empower women to understand their rights in Sierra Leone.

In Sierra Leone we need women like me to stand up tall and talk about women’s issues. I’m a producer and presenter on a radio show called Leh Wi Know, a programme that promotes access to justice and security for women and girls in Sierra Leone. I try and empower women in the work that I do.

Here in Sierra Leone we have so many laws that could protect women and girls – but they often don’t know about them. is about encouraging women and girls to be aware of the country’s laws and understanding how these laws can protect and benefit them.

I remember once, recording Leh Wi Know in a village in northern Sierra Leone, we met a who was just 10 years old when her father chose a man who would marry her, against her wishes. The day we met her was the first time she had told her story to anyone.

She said: “Because my dad gave my hand in marriage I couldn’t be who I wanted to be.” By telling her story on Leh Wi Know she sent a message to girls, to parents, to say “please encourage your girl child to go to school - she might be the next president, she might be the next minister.”

I feel fulfilled when I see the impact Leh Wi Know is having, and the way it has helped women and girls in different areas. When they say “I heard your programme”, it shows that I’m indeed talking on their behalf and bringing a public voice to their issues.

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For International Women’s Day 2016, Meena tells us how she hosted a debate show with an audience of 100 women and an all-female production crew.

I present a radio programme called Niambie which means Talk to Me. It mixes politics with the latest entertainment to engage young Tanzanians both on air and online.

“Can women do what men do?” was the talking point for one episode. We invited female mechanics onto the show to inspire female listeners to believe in themselves and encourage discussion around gender stereotypes. It got some pretty heated debates on the go!

In the past year I hosted our first special recording without Noel my male co-host. It was a debate programme for the .To add to the challenge we had an all-female crew – a first for Tanzania.

I was pretty nervous to go it alone, but you know what, I did it. And I did it standing side by side with some pretty inspirational women - from our production manager, to the second woman in Tanzanian history to run for the presidency, to a regular 22-year-old in the audience like myself.

It was good to watch them speak up without fear, to ask their questions and to make their voices heard. There was so much power going on in that room. For the women who were listening at home I hope they learnt that, you know what, there were 100 women out there, representing me. 

The media plays a big role in opening women’s eyes about political processes. It’s exciting for Niambie to play a part; our research shows young women listeners have an increased understanding of how to play a role in wider society and the importance of choosing a leader.

Women in my country need to be active in the media to be more informed and to inspire others. Young women have said I inspire them, and that they would like to be like me. To have anyone look at your work and see you as an inspiration is humbling and it spurs me on to portray more strength to my listeners.

Girl, my message to you is this - we’ll take this world on, side by side.

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Yasmin is one of the few female drama writers in Somali society. For International Women’s Day, she shares how drama is helping raise awareness of issues affecting Somali women.

There aren’t many female writers in Somali society. Our poets and playwrights have traditionally been men.

I work with ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action as a writer for Maalmo Dhaama Manta (A Better Life than Today), an interactive radio drama for young Somalis. It’s rare for a Somali radio show to have even one female writer, but we have two! I feel proud when I watch the actors as they act out my lines, raising awareness of the very real problems faced by Somali women, including early marriage, migration, and lack of access to education and employment.

My favourite character is Ugasso, a beautiful and strong-willed woman who dreams of marrying a man from a different tribe. She wants, more than anything, to use her university education to change her life. It makes me happy to know that young listeners are inspired by the characters in the drama, whether it’s to continue their education or aspire to a better job.

In my spare time, I write theatre plays. All our theatres were destroyed by the war and I felt this left a hole in our culture. As a young mother, I want to keep the art of theatre alive for the next generation.

Read more inspiring stories of how women are using media to make waves.