ABSTRACT
Women’s participation, and interest in indigenous language media such as community radio, is critical in generating and maintaining local interest in community development initiatives. In Northern Ghana, women have had lower participation in the media with limited access to the media as both audience and producers of media. Community radio broadcasts in the indigenous language of the community should cater for the vulnerable and underprivileged groups such as women. The objective of this study is to understand how local women participate in indigenous language media such as community radio and the outcomes of women’s participation in indigenous electronic media. The study involved 5 community radio stations and 100 randomly selected women. We collected data on how women participate in local community radio stations and the outcomes of this participation. From the data, we established that by participating in community radio, women contribute to the public sphere, thereby promoting democracy and enhancing social justice. Women also collaborate with women-focused NGOs to create radio content which can be empowering. We conclude the study by proposing a framework which targets indigenous language media in development projects and the participation of vulnerable groups such as women.
