| dc.description.abstract | The study aimed at establishing the role of community radio in the empowerment of women among pastoralist communities in northern Kenya. Through a case study of Serian FM in Samburu County, the study was guided by the following objectives:
(a) establish the various socio-economic, political and cultural challenges facing women among the Samburu:
(b) determine the extent to which women participate in Serian FM programtpes and productions that address the various issues facing Samburu women and; (c) establish the challenges faced by Serian FM in addressing vanous issues facing Samburu women.
The study employed the Agenda Setting Function Theory and theories on development communication. Data was analyzed by establishing recurring themes and using the themes, made generalizations about the perceptions of the respondents about the subject under study. The findings of this study indicated the growing importance and role of community radio in empowering women among the Samburu. Serian FM is the medium of choice for all communication needs among the Samburu women. There was evidence of women empowerment through their involvement in the programmes and productions of the radio station. Empowerment was realized both directly and indirectly.
The station is run by Reto Women group, who participate in the policy direction while ordinary women, through call-in sessions, participate in discussions on issues like FGM, girl-child education, property inheritance, cultural practices (both good and malevolent), early marriages, gender-based violence among others.
Serian FM, like many other community radios, is faced by myriad challenges among them finances and requisite skills among staff to address women issues. The station has found innovative ways to counter some of these challenges.
Serian FM invites key experts on topical issues affecting women thereby giving discussions a professional touch. However, with professionalism comes the language barrier where some information is lost in the interpretation since some words in English and Kiswahili may lack the equivalent in Samburu language or the translator, who is the presenter, may not pick the right Samburu vocabulary thereby occasioning noise in the communication process. | en_US |
