Introduction

Radio plays an empowering role through the content it broadcasts, the manner in which it broadcasts (formats and platforms), and the choice of who is involved in the broadcasting, such as producers, editors, presenters, or guests. If women are portrayed in non-stereotypical ways and are included in the production and output of broadcasts, radio can influence how women perceive topics, how they perceive themselves and, importantly, how society perceives them. This chapter explains how radio plays this role and its various attributes and functions as one of the main and most trusted sources of information in West Africa. It also details perceptions and understandings of empowerment, providing context to environments in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, the three countries on which the book focuses. It introduces the various concepts used in the book, including enabling environments and enabling factors for radio’s contribution to promoting women’s empowerment.