Women's World
Author: Orietta Wheatley | Source: 3ZZZ | Date: 05-03-07
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Title of Entry: Women's World
Contributor: Orietta Wheatley, 3ZZZ
A new program is giving a voice to women broadcasters on radio 3ZZZ in Melbourne.
The story began as far back as February 2003, when the then manager of the station - a woman -
invited women broadcasters to a meeting ostensibly to discuss the formation of a women's committee, in the hope that "this initiative will encourage and assist women to more actively participate in the station".
This meeting had been initiated by members of Council (Committee of Management) with the purpose of improving the participation of women broadcasters in the decision-making structure of the station. What had motivated Council to do so was the fact that the membership of the sixteen-member Council for 2003-4 was all male, as not a single woman had been elected to Council at the 2002 election. The key questions asked were: Why? and What can be done about it?
As a result of this and several other meetings, as well as getting four women nominated and elected at the next AGM, a need was identified for a women's program. This has now become a reality.
Known as Women's World, the program goes to air every Thursday from 1 to 2pm. Whilst the members of the group come from quite a range of ethnic backgrounds, the program is presented in English. It is still in its infancy, launched just a few months ago on 2 November 2006.
Women's World started with six or seven women who were interested in sharing experiences and broadcasting with women from cultures different to their own - and the team has quickly grown to number fourteen, with new members regularly joining in. The project, when set up, was intended to bring together a diverse group of women from refugee, new arrival and established migrant communities, to develop and produce a weekly radio program on 3ZZZ. This is undoubtedly being achieved, as the group currently comprises women from Ghana, Zimbabwe, the Oromo community, Somalia, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Assyria, Indonesia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Different combinations of presenters put the program to air every Thursday, dealing with issues that would interest women, such as health, housekeeping hints and tips, as well as seeking to showcase the country and culture of the different groups represented in our multicultural Australian community. Interviews with representatives from organizations such as the Australian Intercultural Society, the organization WIRE, and Vision Australia have already featured.
The group meets once a month to plan the roster and topics for the following month. A strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork is developing amongst the women who had never worked together previously. Within this friendly supportive environment the women are learning from each other, mentoring each other and growing in self-confidence in all aspects of broadcasting, including panel operating.
One member of the group announced recently that joining the women's team is the best thing she had done. She is the only woman in her broadcast group and has not had much support from the men in her group. Through her involvement with Women's World, she has learned to operate the panel and is now able to present her language program entirely by herself.
We have another broadcaster from a group whose program is on Sunday. Because she lives in the outer suburbs and has difficulty getting to 3ZZZ due to inadequate public transport on Sunday, her participation in her group's programs had been limited to presenting a news segment via a phone link from home. This woman, from one of the African nations, is now revelling in the opportunity to work with a group, in the studio, behind a microphone. Coming to the station on Thursdays, she has now started to record phone interviews on mini-disc and is learning to edit, thus making a more significant contribution to her group's broadcasts.
Through their involvement in Women's World, the women are developing networks within the station as well as externally. In addition to being involved in broadcasting on 3ZZZ, the women have been active in the community, representing themselves and 3ZZZ at a number of functions including Women in Media, a couple of Building Bridges Projects such as the Women's Market in Brunswick and an afternoon at University High, the Vic Health AGM and the NEMBC 2006 conference.
When asked what they were gaining form being involved in this radio program, here is what some of them said:
" I feel at home in this group. I look forward to Thursdays and I enjoy coming in even if I am not scheduled to do the program, because I enjoy the company."
" I am learning so much. Through being involved in this group, I am meeting people from other ethnic groups and finding out about their customs, etc. It's really interesting!"
" I have been a broadcaster for twelve years, and this is the first time I have felt encouraged to have a go panelling. In my other group, I was never given the opportunity. The group is so supportive and friendly!
" Since being involved in this program, I have been invited to some interesting activities such as a Sufi night and an Assyrian-Chaldean Cultural Awareness Day."
"Working with broadcasters from other groups is helping me to improve my own broadcasting skills."
Women's World broadcasts in Melbourne on Thursdays from 1pm - 2pm on 3ZZZ 92.3FM. You can also listen anywhere, anytime online www.3zzz.com.au.
3ZZZ and Women's World are pleased to acknowledge the support of the VicHealth Building Bridges scheme.