Radio programmers were reminded to give women a stronger voice as the industry marked World Radio Day on Thursday.
The annual event which began in 2011 aims to celebrate radio as a medium.
This year, World Radio Day also had a second theme: to promote the role of women on air and to enhance the role of women within broadcast organisations.
“Without the voices of more than half the world’s population, how can we understand the whole story?” Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said in her message for the day.
“As citizen journalists, reporters, producers, technicians and key decision-makers, women are working at every level of the broadcasting industry to ensure the free exchange of opinion, information and ideas over the airwaves, but there is still much work to do.”
Bokova said less than one quarter of radio stories are about women, and women represent less than one-third of all top-level management and governance positions in media.
UN Secretary-General Ki-moon also called on broadcasters to enhance the role of women.
“The airwaves have frequently lagged behind when it comes to gender equality. Not nearly enough women’s voices are heard – either in front or behind the microphone,” he said.
This report from China Radio International discusses how women’s role in the industry is changing.