Suitcase Radio Successfully Installed

Nukualofa, Tonga
16 September 2011

"Investing in young women through community radio station is investing is women's participation for peace and security, it is making "1325" a reality" said Betty Blake, the President of Ma'afafine moe Famili as Tonga's first women-led community radio station was successfully installed at the Ma'afafine office where it will beam out programmes to communities using a 100 watt transmitter and "suitcase" radio station.

The equipment has been donated by the Canada Fund and the planning, development and project support from FemLINKPacific has been made possible through the AUSAid supported Regional Women's Media and Policy Network on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security).

Eight young women will be trained in the coming months to produce and broadcast programmes from civil society partners and rural communities. Known as Generation Next project this aspect of the project is being undertaken in partnership with the Talitha Project.

An inauguration event today will include the broadcast of the first Generation Next feature with the young women talking about their new roles and the issues they feel strongly about - preventing teenage pregnancies and HIV-AIDS, promoting women's rights, addressing unemployment and economic security, as well as providing advice and information to their peers including young men. Several of the young women are unemployed and mentioned that their families are encouraged that they have this opportunity to learn and train as community media producers and broadcasters.

Ma'afafine has been granted a provisional licence and allocated 98FM as a frequency. Today's installation paves the way for this afternoon's inauguration by the Director of Communications.

A test broadcast coinciding with the International Day of Peace from September 19 - 23 will be the final steps towards the confirmation of the frequency and granting of an annual broadcast licence.

Earlier in the week CSO partners and members of the community radio committee reaffirmed the community radio station as a platform for dialogue and enhancing civil society solidarity.

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