ITU commits to empowering women over the airwaves

ITU has used this year’s World Radio Day to bring attention to women’s empowerment and encourage radio broadcasters to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said, “Radio is an effective means of reaching out to people everywhere. By providing information in a timely manner, it empowers people in every corner of the world, in particular women, to meet their goals of sustainable development. Innovations in radio technology, which are under constant development at ITU, will make this medium increasingly relevant.”

13 February marks the day UN Radio was founded in 1946. In January 2013, the United Nations General Assembly formally endorsed UNESCO’s proclamation of World Radio Day following a request from the Academia Española de la Radio of Spain.

“World Radio Day celebrates audio broadcasting and seeks to improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters while encouraging decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio,” said Mr François Rancy, Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau. “The occasion draws attention to the unique value of radio, which is currently taking up new technological forms and devices such as digital and online broadcasting.”