Radio has long been acknowledged as one of the most powerful, practical and cost-effective communications tool. Particularly for women who are expected to take on several different responsibilities at any one time, radio can be a great way to actively listen and acquire information while doing other things.

However, according to the 2005 Global Media Monitoring Report, women are most underrepresented in the news in radio compared to other kinds of media.

Take back the radio! Use it as an information tool that does more than import you the latest tunes from developed countries with a big marketing budget. Play with the media

• Think of some topics around violence against women that doesn't get much airtime, or something that you would like to know more about, or contribute to. For example, the impact of new information and communications technology (ICTs) on pornography and how this affects women, or how things like the internet has changed intimate relationships and where violence can feature in that, etc.
  
  
• Call up your local radio station and suggest a topic that they can discuss, or as a call-in listeners opinion poll. Let them know that 25 November - 10 December is period where people around the world are campaigning against gender-based violence.
  
  
• Community radio is also an effective way to take radio into your own hands, and generate content that is relevant to your community - whether it is in a remote area, or at the heart of a city. Find out if there is a community or alternative radio initiative in your area, and ask them if they are interested to take up an issue around this theme. Or if you can do a programme on your own, interview some people on their opinions. Make this a 16-day project with your friends.
  
  
• Podcasting is an emerging tool that enables internet users to have their own 'radio' channel and create own content over the worldwideweb. All you need is connectivity and a mike, where you can record your programme and upload them -- usually as MP3 files -- onto a server. Then other internet users are able to 'tune in' or log on and listen to what you have to say. You can find out more about podcasts and how you can use it in a Techsoup article by Michael Gowan, "Podcasting: A New Voice on the Net".
  
  
• Happy buzzing!