Radio and Women's Empowerment in Francophone West Africa (Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change)

Communication for Social Change (CSC) is a defined field of academic enquiry that is explicitly transdisciplinary and that has been shaped by a variety of theoretical inputs from a variety of traditions, from sociology and development to social movement studies. The leveraging of communication, information and the media in social change is the basis for a global industry that is supported by governments, development aid agencies, foundations, and international and local NGOs. It is also the basis for multiple interventions at grassroots levels, with participatory communication processes and community media making a difference through raising awareness, mobilising communities, strengthening empowerment and contributing to local change. This series on Communication for Social Change intentionally provides the space for critical writings in CSC theory, practice, policy, strategy and methods. It fills a gap in the field by exploring new thinking, institutional critiques and innovative methods. It offers the opportunity for scholars and practitioners to engage with CSC as both an industry and as a local practice, shaped by political economy as much as by local cultural needs. The series explicitly intends to highlight, critique and explore the gaps between ideological promise, institutional performance and realities of practice. Acknowledgements Contents Acronyms List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction Section One: The Role of Radio Radio Radio in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Radio in Mali Radio in Niger Radio in Burkina Faso Studio Tamani, Studio Kalangou, and Studio Yafa Studio Tamani Studio Kalangou Studio Yafa Section Two: Understanding Empowerment Development Discourse International Agreements African Feminist Discourse Women in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Marriage Polygamy Violence and Control Education Institutional Discrimination Enabling Environment and Enabling Factors Section Three: Approach to the Book Methodological Approach Book Layout References Chapter 2: Radio, Women, and Politics Introduction Context Women and Politics The Context in Mali The Context in Niger The Radio Studios’ Provision Studio Kalangou’s Provision and Format Decisions Studio Tamani’s Provision and Format Decisions Magazines/Portraits Conclusion References Chapter 3: Radio, Women, and Finances Introduction Context Women, Small Businesses, and Autonomy Start-Up Funds: A Route to Empowerment Challenging the Status Quo Income as a Disempowering Force ‘The Dead Are Better Off Than Us’ Conclusion References Chapter 4: Radio, Women, and Life Within Marriage Introduction Hegemonic Masculinities and Women’s Empowerment Radio Output and Audience Reception Listeners’ Conception of Empowerment Within Marriage Whose Voice? Témoignages: A Radio Tool to Promote Message Retention Asymmetry Within Marriage and Passive Empowerment Radio and the Elephant in the Room Conclusion References Chapter 5: Radio, Women, and Inheritance Introduction Women as Individuals or Within a ‘Web of Relations’ Mali Context Land Laws Audience Perceptions Studio Tamani’s Representations Conclusion References Chapter 6: ‘We’re More Than Just a Radio’: Radio Scout and Its Women’s Listening Associations Introduction Participation, Listening Associations, and Women’s Empowerment The Role of Community Radio What Are Listening Associations? Radio Scout and Its Women’s Listening Associations The Need for a Leader Structural Participation and Membership Collective Power or ‘Power with’ Decision-Makers and Relational Changes Inclusion Content-Related Participation Conclusion References Chapter 7: Radio, Women IDPs, and Women Journalists Introduction Context An Empowering Structure? The Programmes Empowering Recruitment Conclusion References Chapter 8: Conclusion Perceptions of Female Dis/Empowerment by Listeners, Radio, International Development Organisations, and Local Associations and Alignment of Radio’s Empowerment Discourse with Those of Audiences, Organisations, Feminist Theories The Radio Studios’ Support and Promotion of Women’s Empowerment in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Radio’s Approach to Specific Issues Relating to Women’s Empowerment and Audience Responses Could Radio Do More to Promote Women’s Empowerment or, Rather, Not Promote Social Norms That Disempower Women? References Index This open access book breaks new ground by examining the significant role played by radio in empowering women in three Francophone West African countries: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. It examines the representation and perception of key themes broadcast by radio and associated with women’s empowerment in the three countries. Each chapter contextualises a specific topic in the country and then explores discrete aspects of radio’s provision. The topics covered in the chapters are women’s political engagement; women and finances; women and life within marriage; inheritance; women’s involvement in radio structures; and radio, internally displaced women, and trauma. Given the social, economic and political vulnerability and deteriorating security situation of the three countries, this book provides a timely and meaningful contribution to acknowledging and understanding the vital role of radio in women’s empowerment.