Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Liberia Women Democracy Radio

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Launched in August 2010, Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR) is a community radio station based in Monrovia, Liberia that focuses on raising the voices of women and increasing women's access to information. Sponsored by the United Nations Democracy Fund, facilitated by UN Women, and implemented by the Liberia Women Media Action Committee and the Young Women's Christian Association, the radio station seeks to highlight gender issues and to provide practical training and exposure to female journalists.
Communication Strategies

According to organisers, Liberia Women Democracy Radio is the first radio station to focus on women's issues and women’s empowerment. However, the station is aware that if they are to change the perception of women in Liberia, their programming must also be attractive to men. A little under half of the reporting staff is male. Organisers say this is partly due to the shortage of experienced female journalists but it's also done intentionally, to encourage male consideration of female interests.

The station broadcasts 12 hours a day and is available in eight of Liberia's 15 counties. Programming ranges from live talk shows to almost 30 pre-produced programmes as well as music that does not defame women. Many of the programmes and the news are broadcast in simple Liberian English so they are accessible to ordinary women. The station also runs a research department and organises community forums for women to share views.

To boost women's numbers in newsrooms, the station has a training programme that reaches seven female university students in three universities in Monrovia. Two of the station's working reporters also receive continuing education through a pilot programme called New Narratives, launched in July 2010 to link female journalists in Liberia for one-on-one training with veteran international reporters.

Development Issues

Women, Gender equality

Key Points

According to organisers, the Liberian media is hugely male dominated, and only one in six journalists are female. Male journalists tend to focus on politics and issues many ordinary Liberians do not understand. They seldom touch on subjects such as high levels of rape, teenage pregnancy, female genital mutilation, or problems retention of girls in school. LWDR aims to reach ordinary women with stories around issues that affect them.

The studio is currently undergoing a financial transition, as their startup funding from the United National Democracy Fund is set to expire in March 2011. A team is now working to establish an endowment account with a local bank to accept donations. The team is also working to start selling airtime, seek sponsorship, and raise funds.

Partners

United National Democracy Fund, UN Women, The Liberia Women Media Action Committee, The Young Women's Christian Association

Sources

Women's e-News website, IPS News website, Journalists for Human Rights website and UNIFEM website on February 2, 2011.