World Radio celebrated across the globe

World Radio Day – 13 February

World Radio Day was celebrated across the globe on 13 February 2014. This is the third Radio Day being observed by the UNESCO to celebrate radio as a medium.

The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.

The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.

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.

On the eve of celebrations of Radio Day across the globe, UNESCO sought to promote gender equality by:
•    Sensitising radio station owners, executives and governments to develop gender-related policies and strategies for radio.
•    Building radio skills for youth radio production, with focus on girls as producers, hosts and or reporters.
•    Promoting the safety of women radio journalists.

Background

At its 36th General Assembly in 2011, UNESCO proclaimed the 13th February as World Radio Day.  

The 13th February is significant to UNESCO as it is the anniversary of the day the United Nations established their first Radio Station in 1946.

The United Nations Radio station’s main purpose is to promote the universal ideals of the United Nations which include gender equality, peace, tolerance, respect for human rights, economic and social development and the upholding of international law.