Abstract:
The main purpose of this study is assessing the perceived role of radio for women empowerment located in a rural setting. It employed Rural Radio Forum that aimed at addressing targeted women listeners in two districts in Kaffa Zone. The study used descriptive survey design and adopted mixed methods approach. Questionnaire, Interview, and FGD were used as tools for data gathering. From the total population 800 women organized in two districts and eight kebele 200 women Radio group audiences were taken from four kebele to fill out the questionnaire by using Purposive sampling method. FGD and Interview used to substantiate the data gathered from the questioners. Four FGDs were conducted including nine members in each and totally 36 members. In-depth interviews were made with 8 participants. Theories that their concepts are related to the study such as Developmental media theory and diffusion innovation were used.
The analysis is done under four themes which are the roles of radio programs for women’s benefit social sector, for women’s economic capacity Building, increasing political participation and To find out the challenges faced by Bonga FM radio station and audience in continuing rural radio project.
The result of study identified that Bonga FM 97.4 radio has a significant role in ensuring women’s social, economic and political benefits by producing different programs that create awareness for both organized group listeners and regular women listeners. Thus, the attitudinal, behavioral and practical changes have been recorded among the women audiences in socio economic and political fields.
As the study findings revealed, there are gaps that recommended to be improved by Bonga FM to empower women, among others, the problem of conducting investigative journalism to solve women’s problem, mainly in the field of justice, the delay of court processes, lack of fairness in judicial decision making process And decision execution problem needs to be focused by Radio station. In addition, the women’s participation in live radio and other programs needs strengthening.
