We are delighted to announce that the Samajhdari (meaning mutual understanding) radio program, which explores the intersection between HIV and Violence against Women, has won the “Special Award” of the One World Media Awards. In London to collect the award at the One World Media Awards ceremony were Ronni Goldfarb, Equal Access International Executive Director, Gemma Quilt, Equal Access International Program Manager, Deependra Joshi, Equal Access Nepal Country Director, and Jaya Luintel, Equal Access Nepal Programme Coordinator, along with the who’s-who of the British Media world.
The One World Media Awards is one of the foremost Awards events for media in the UK and recognizes the most outstanding media coverage of the developing world, particularly in bridging the divide between different societies and raising awareness of vital development issues.
Over the past three years, more than one million listeners have regularly tuned in to hear stories of triumph over violence and solutions to daunting challenges faced by Nepalese women each day. With outreach activities that include legal literacy training, Samajhdari’s productive dialogues teach women how to speak unhesitatingly, think critically and organize collectively around their rights and choices in relation to HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.
“We are honored to have Equal Access’ work in Nepal recognized by One World Media for making a significant and positive impact in the lives of Nepali women,” said Ronni. “Every day, women and girls who participate in our programs claim their inherent power and dignity and transform their lives. Giving women a collective national voice to educate and inspire change is one of the most important ways Equal Access contributes to a more peaceful and equitable world.”
Said Jaya, “Few Nepali women ever dream of their own future. If you ask a woman what her dream is: you get an answer that she has never dreamt for herself, only for her father, her husband and her son. Looking at this reality, I designed Samajhdari as a radio and community dialogue program that empowers Nepali women to dream for their own future. Through this radio program we are helping Nepali women to speak out for themselves and share their unspoken, internal dilemmas with one another.”
Jaya's acceptance speech was a testimony to the work that Samajhdari has done, and to the power of media to change the lives of every woman and every person in Nepal:
"Thank you very much
Deep in my heart I have always felt that few Nepali women ever dream of their own future. When she is daughter-- she follows her father's dream, when she is married-- she fulfills her husband's dream and when she gets old-- she has to live with her son's dream. She has never dreamt for herself.
I grew up with this reality-I know it well… and now my dream is to help Nepali women to dream for their own future… and I am doing this through radio.
Radio Program Samajhdari airs voices that express experiences of discrimination based on gender, and provide a space for women to resist, rebel and refuse patriarchal oppression which works against their dreams.
Also, the hearttouching stories and the impact of the programs have solidified my belief in the power of radio and the changes we can create when we use this tool for two-way communication- not just broadcasting.
If you also believe in the empowerment of women by utilizing the power of radio, this is an invitation for you to work with us to take the VOICES program approach to your own communities and countries to challenge the patriarchal values, attitude and beliefs which put women at risk.
I would like to thank the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against women, UNIFEM, One World Media, Equal Access family, the Voices implementation team female community reporters of Samajhdari…… and all the women and men who respect women and believe in women's rights.
Last but not the least, I would like to dedicate One World Media Special Awards to all Nepali women including my mother who are at the same time listeners and speakers… they are the changed and the change makers.
Thank you all.
The video about Samajhdari, produced by One World Media Awards is embedded below:
Photo and Video Courtesy: One World Media Awards / Hannah Maule Finch
