The first-ever community radio run by women in Nepal is now on air. Radio Purvanchal started its 10-hour daily broadcast on October 1 with news and programmes focused on women’s education and health care issues.

Radio Purvanchal, a community radio run exclusively by women has recently hit the airwaves in Nepal. It now broadcasts ten hours daily, and is managed by 24 women, who comprise the station's managing committee.

“Although it is challenging, we've decided to have an all-women staff so that we can prove that women are also capable,” said managing committee chair and station manager Kamala Kattel.

Radio Purvanchal will primarily focus on rural area-oriented news and investigative programmes focused on women's education and health care issues. It will also give priority in broadcasting programmes in local dialects.

“Plans are afoot to broadcast news and infotainment programmes in Rajbansi, Tharu, Jhagar, and Nepali languages,” said Kattel.

The station's staff, broadcasters, and managers are mainly from the underprivileged Dalit and Madhesi communities. This 100-watt radio station is supported by 33 community organisations of Morang district.

Sources:
“It's all women at Purvanchal FM” from eKantipur.com, posted on June 23, 2007, <http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=113663>.
“Radio station run by women hits airwaves” from Nepal Press Freedom, posted on October 1, 2007, <http://www.nepalpressfreedom.org/detail.php?freedomnews=504>.