The challenges of promoting women’s rights to access information in the electronic media in Kampala district Uganda..

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to establish the challenges of promoting women’s rights to access information in the electronic media. The study covered three local FM stations which were Mama FM, Radio Supientia, and Radio Star and the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) information. The study was motivated by the fact that whereas there are increasing sources of electronic media, there seems to be a great disparity with regard to women’s access and utilization of such information. The study was guided by the research objectives that aimed at establishing the capacity of women to access information; women’s levels of awareness on the utilization of electronic media; treatment of women and its impact on access to information; and the strategies that can be adopted to increase women’s access and utilization of information in electronic media. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, an interview guide and a Focus Group Discussion guide. Review of relevant documents was done to supplement the primary data. The data collected was presented in frequency counts and score tables with varying percentages calculated. Illustrations like Pie charts and Graphs were also used, after which interpretations and conclusions were made according to the number of occurrences on each item. The study findings revealed that though there are different sources of electronic information in the media; women’s access and utilization remains low. This has usually been out of the traditional values that place women on the lower level of the social, political and economic hierarchy. From the study findings, it was concluded among others that Women’s capacity to access electronic information is greatly constrained as they lack the necessary resource to redress their plight. In light of the study findings, the researcher made some recommendations among which was that all stakeholders should continue working towards ratifying treaties and protocols that recognize women's human rights, including the right to communication in information media, and include provisions for supporting the implementation of these measures in all action plans. There is also need for enhanced and focused education and training of more women as a means of dealing with entrenched techno phobia nurtured from an early age that persists and manifests itself in all spheres of life.