Uks Radio Project

This project features independent syndicated radio programmes that are designed to bring a gender perspective to bear on social issues that Uks describes as largely overlooked in Pakistan society, such as health issues, prostitution, and human trafficking. Organisers say that research into such challenging topics has added to the all-female team's individual learning curve and heightened their own levels of awareness. To prepare these women for their radio work, Internews offered a 3-day training session that involved hands-on, practical demonstration of radio production techniques.

In the programmes themselves, interpersonal exchange is a technique for bringing forward voices of the unheard.

The radio programmes are aired by various FM radio stations throughout the country. In this sense, radio is a tool for bringing rural voices to urban listeners. Since FM channels have a live programming system, Uks' programmes fit within the cycle of "feed back and feed forward".

Programming Examples:

Meri Awaz Sunno (Listen to my Voice)
In October 2003 Uks launched with this 15-minute, bi-weekly women's radio programme in Urdu, reportedly the first radio programme in Pakistan for women and by women. The programme was a collaboration between Uks Radio Project and Internews Pakistan and was broadcast from different FM stations throughout the country. Over a span of a year, the production team produced 47 programmes on a variety of issues primarily pertaining to women.

Ghurbat, Amn Aur Insaf-Eik Tikon (the Triangle of Poverty, Peace and Justice)
In June 2004, Uks in collaboration with The Asia Foundation produced a series of radio programmes under the SDDP (Supporting Democratic Development in Pakistan) project. Based on issues of and around democracy and good governance, the programmes were a combination of issues and entertainment, social discussion and music, and, according to Uks, they provided a vehicle for the variety of voices and opinions previously unheard on Pakistani radio channels.

Mujhe Bolney Do (Let me Speak)
In November 2005, Uks in collaboration with Mama Cash, an organisation of the Netherlands, produced a series of programmes on issues related to violence against women. Issues covered in these programmes were burnt victims of acid throwing, honour killings, emotional violence, showbiz and sexual violence, women political representatives, harassment at work places, performing arts, domestic workers, and violence in educational institutions.

Pani ki Kahani, Aurat ki Zubani (Water and Women Issues)
In March 2006, Uks in collaboration with Panos, Kathmandu produced a series of 15-minute radio programmes. Based on issues of and around water and women, these programmes highlighted many areas of this issue, explored ways of mainstreaming gender in water issues, and promoted gender equity. Issues covered in this particular series included water and migration, water and women's employment, mobility, water and the workload of women, hygiene, health (especially unsafe drinking water), and water related natural disasters, etc.

Chalo Phir Se Muskoraen (Let's smile again)
In March 2006, Uks in collaboration with the Asia Foundation produced a series of radio programmes on location in the disaster-hit areas to mobilise the public for their continued support for the rehabilitation and rebuilding (physical infrastructure as well as human spirits) of recent earthquake survivors. What distinguished this series amongst the other coverage that had been dedicated to the calamity was its blend of investigative journalism with accounts of and from the affected people. It covered issues such as devolution, health, water, emotional health and disability, peace process, land reform, gender, governance, education, the military's economic role, the role of the commercial sector in rehabilitation of survivors, and the success stories of the earthquake survivors.

Gender, Women, Democracy and Governance.

For organisers, radio promised to be a most effective and far-reaching medium in a country with "an abysmally low literacy rate and the non-availability of television transmission in remote areas". They claim that "Uks is now known for producing serious and issue-based programmes."

Uks (an Urdu word that means Reflection) was started in December 1997 by a group of like-minded women including journalists, human and women’s rights activists, and academics - all of whom felt that there was no forum where concerns regarding the relationship between women and the media could be raised and shared. Uks' mission is "to impact the media policy makers and urge them to review policies that negate or damage women’s role in national development. It also aims to reach out to as many readers, viewers and listeners and try to promote awareness among women and men, of the need to question existing values that create gender inequality. The other goal is awareness-raising among our women to empower them in their fight against inequality and prepare them for effective participation in all areas of society and development."

Uks feels that one of the major reasons for stereotypical and derogatory projection of women in the Pakistani media is the extreme under-representation of women in the media as journalists and broadcasters. By training a team of women journalists and heading an all-female production house, Uks feels it has contributed in its own way to rectifying the under-representation of women and hopes that this trend catches on.

As a result of the yearlong project with Internews, Uks is now, reportedly, the only non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Pakistan which owns its own production house. The production facility also complements Uks efforts in fostering awareness rising in the print media.