Last year, Farm Radio International created a new award to recognize radio programs that address gender equality and create opportunities to share the voices of rural women. Farm Radio International is now inviting stations and program production teams to apply for the second annual Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio.
Liz Hughes was a Farm Radio International board member who was passionate about broadcasting and a champion of gender equality. She worked as a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Liz Hughes also helped Farm Radio International to develop its FAIR journalistic standards, which emphasize Fairness and balance, Accuracy, Integrity, and Respect.
In rural sub-Saharan Africa, women play a vitally important role in farming, family, and the community. Yet they are more likely to experience extreme poverty, malnutrition, and poor health. They often have less access to and control over resources. It is essential that radio programs serve the needs and interests of women as well as men. In this way, both women and men can benefit from the information shared and have the potential to contribute to community development. Learn more about gender equality issues in land rights in this backgrounder. And learn more about how to serve women farmers wellin this Broadcaster how-to guide.
Any African radio station is eligible to apply for the Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio. The station should submit details about a program that it feels has particularly addressed or advanced gender equality for rural women. Stations may submit multiple applications for multiple programs.
Applicants must fill out the attached form and submit both a typical program lineup and an MP3 recording of one of their episodes. These documents should be sent in one email to [email protected]. Please use the subject line: <Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio
Applications will be accepted in English, French, Amharic, Swahili, and Hausa. The episode recording may be in the language of broadcast. Please provide a summary of the episode.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 17.
The winning broadcast team will receive a certificate and a $1,000 CAD prize in recognition of their excellent work.
Meet last year’s winner, Voice of Kigezi’s B’Omugaiga program: http://wire.farmradio.fm/en/spotlights/2019/03/voice-of-kigezi-winner-of-the-inaugural-liz-hughes-award-for-her-farm-radio-18302