Koni Ku Libi - Suriname

Establishment of a community radio station - Radio Muye, which commenced broadcast in 1997. It reached 5,000 people in 5 villages over a 6 mile radius. It now reaches (1998) approximately 30,000 people. Broadcasts are in early morning and early evening to fit into the working schedules of women. Training was provided to women in broadcasting techniques, women and development awareness-building, and an understanding of the socio-economic and cultural role within their society.

Women, economic stability, education.

Koni Ku Libi was organised around a a group of determined village women, working for the sustainable livelihood of their villages in the remote Surinamese hinterland, in the face of social and economic odds. In spite of the fact that women have taken over much of the work traditionally done by men (due to men gravitating to coastal areas and French Guyana in search of work and the toll the recent civil war took on the make population) they have little say in the running of their communities, nor the spending of their earnings, and remain victims of oppressive taboos and customs. The establishment of Radio Muye followed 3 years of detailed negotiations with the Paramount Chief, political leaders and government officials.