Media for authentic women development

The Legal Alternatives for Women Center launched a year-long project that will intensify the use of various media of communication for “authentic women development” last Saturday, October 12. Although the direct beneficiaries are the “marginalized women of the urban and rural communities” of Cebu City and province, women outside Cebu and even those in the global community will also be within its scope of influence.

LAW Center, Inc. intends to intensify information dissemination “to catalyze consciousness in the rural and urban communities” through its activities in the broadcast media, print media and electronic communication technology.

Every week, the center facilitates the airing of Takna sa Kababayen-an (Women’s Hour). Here, resource persons, often lawyers are invited to discuss laws to protect women and through which they can assert these rights. They can also be linked with agencies or other institutions that offer assistance to women in their various concerns. Listeners are encouraged to raise their questions or provide feedback.

Tingog sa Kababayeb-an (Women’s Voice) is also aired weekly, serving a similar purpose. They are aired in two separate radio stations.

Every other Saturday Women’s Kapihan (Women’s Coffee Break) is aired with a bigger group of women with women advocates in the various government agencies and nongovernment organizations in attendance. Usually current issues are discussed such as the K to 12 program of the Department of Education.

LAW Center, Inc. has called these “Legal Literacy on Air.” These are very useful since those who have attended training with LAW Center, Inc. continue their connection with the group. Clients who have now organized into the Survivors have tasks related to these programs; they are invited to share their experiences or they can report on the clarity of signals or expand the coverage of the listening public in their areas.

LAW Center, Inc. also facilitates the airing of a monthly TV program (Partners in Law) very similar to the radio programs. Its format is that of a “talk show/open forum.”

Every year LAW Center, Inc. releases four issues LINKAGES, a newsletter which provides updates on its various programs: “legal and psycho-social services, governance and advocacy programs as well.”

LAW Center, Inc. has a website to serve the following objectives: for global access, to expand its consciousness-raising and campaigns capacity.

The launching was a successful coming together of women advocates: partners in the NGO community, representatives from the government agencies, media practitioners and the development lawyers, regular resource persons for the education of women on their rights and concerns. The lunch was followed by a lively Kapihan ably moderated by Ma’m Ginnie Vamenta discussing the situation of trafficking in the Visayas. There is a “marked increase not only of arrests but also of prosecution of traffickers.” As a result, there has emerged a need for more safe places for victims and their rehabilitation.

She Voices totally supports this media literacy project. Mads is a regular in the Women’s Kapihan and I listen to the radio programs to bring in additional phone-ins. Relevant columns are to be reprinted in LINKAGES.