COMMUNITY RADIO: SCRUTINISING SPACE FOR WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17501/24246778.2026.10105Keywords:
community radio, participation, representation, feminism, women, meta-synthesis methodologyAbstract
Constrained participation and under-representation of women in community radio (CR) discourse has generated considerable controversy and rival contestation by notable feminist scholars and advocates. They argue as untenable the notion that women cannot participate in the airwaves, engage in self-representation, articulate marginalised perspectives, or exercise agency, structurally and symbolically. Rather, women use community radio as a space to contest identity and engender new media narratives for themselves and others, beyond male discourses. This research focuses on the
intersectionality of community radio regarding women’s participation and representation, analysing how gendered broadcasting practices reflect women’s roles and leadership in programming and content production in South African community radios. The study followed a case study research design that, through qualitative critical analysis of existing scholarly research published between 1994 (onset of democracy) and 2025, evidences
nuanced insights and understanding of two community radio stations in Gqeberha, South Africa. A qualitative meta-synthesis was utilised: a systematic review method for integrating and interpreting findings from a collection of qualitative studies to generate a more comprehensive and insightful understanding of a phenomenon. The research conclusion is evident: community radio thrives, transforms, and progresses when it embraces balanced female participation. This involvement secures organisational longevity, provides an essential platform for marginalised voices, and actively deconstructs limiting gender stereotypes. The overarching implications confirm that such inclusive models are fundamental catalysts for achieving true media democratisation, leading to substantive social transformation and enduring empowerment in the communities that these stations serve. For this tier of broadcasting, to fulfil its potential as a tool for progressive change, gender equity in its structure and content must remain a central, non negotiable operational principle.
Downloads
References
Adebayo, J., Bulani, J., & Matsilele, T. (2022). The potential of community radio in fostering economic empowerment of youths in the Cape Flats communities. Communicare: Journal of Communication, 9(1), 22–43. https://doi.org/10.37535/101009120223
Adjin-Tettey, T, Asuman, M., & Segbefia, M. (2025). Unveiling voices and visibility: Women’s engagement and representation in three morning prime time shows Accra: Ghana. Chapter 5 in Gender and media representation. M. Jjuuko, S. Omland, & C. Dralega, C. (Eds). Emerald Publishing. United Kingdom. 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251006
Agaba, E., & Isabirye, J. (2024). Community radio and the promotion of gender equality. A case of Nyabiboko sub-County, Ntungamo District. IAA Journal of Communication, 10(1),1–13. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJC/2024/101.113.10000
Bosch, T. (2022). Community radio and identity construction post 1994. Communicare: Journal of Communication Studies in Africa, 26(1), 114–129. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v26i1.1717
Copeland, S. (2018). Broadcasting queer feminisms: Lesbian and queer women programming in transnational, local and community radio. Journal of Radio and Audio, 25(2), 209–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2018.1482899
Crenshaw, K. (2021). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. Droite et Société, 108,465. https://doi.org/10.3917/drs1.108.0465
Daniels, G. (Ed.) (2014). State of the newsroom South Africa 2014: Disruptions accelerated. A Wits Journalism project. https://journalism.co.za/new/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/State-ofthe-newsroom-2014.pdf
Deutsch, F. (2007). Undoing Gender. Gender and Society, 21, 106-127.https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243206293577
Dralega, C. (2016). Media capacity building and gender parity: Why we shouldn’t look away. Journal of African Media Studies, 8(3), 247–249. https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/jams.8.3.247_2
Finlay, A. (2022) State of the newsroom: 100 years of radio broadcasting. Introduction. Wits Centre for Journalism. https://journalism.co.za/resources/state-of-the-newsroom.
Fraser. C. & Estrada, S. R. (2001) Community radio handbook. UNESCO, Paris. 1-95. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000124595.
Fombad, M., & Jiyane, G. (2019) The role of community radios in information dissemination to rural women in South Africa. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 51(1), 47–58.
Gatua, M., Patton, T., & Brown, M. (2010). Giving voice to invisible women: FIRE as a model of successful women’s community radio in Africa. 21(2), 164–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646171003727441
Gqibitole, K. (2020) Imagining women: cultural representation of women and gender in Xhosa radio plays pre-1994. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 8, 265-277. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2020.88022.
Ishengoma, D (2025) Community radio in building resilience against gender based violence in Tanzania: A case of radio Sengerema. Chapter 13. In M. Jjuuko, S. Omland, & C. Dralega (Eds.). Gender and media representation from sub-Saharan Africa. Emerald Publishing. 191–207. http://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251015
Jensen, L., & Allen, M. (1996). Meta-synthesis of qualitative findings. Qualitative Health Research. 6(4), 553–560. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973239600600407
Jones, B & Hadland, A. (2024) South African media and politics: Is the three models approach still valid after two decades. Media and Communication, 12(7723), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.7723
Jjuuko, M., Omland, O., & Dralega, C. (Eds). (2025). Introduction. Gender and media representation perspectives for sub-Saharan Africa. Emerald Publishing. United Kingdom. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251001
Kalavathy, M. (2024) Feminist media theory and women journalists: obstacles and opportunities in Tamilnadu Regional news media. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 6(4), 1.
Krijnen, T. (2017). Feminist theory and the media. The international encyclopedia of media studies. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/103301/Krijnen_feminist-theory-and-the-media.pdf
Leary, H. and Walker, A. (2018) Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis methodologies: Rigorously piercing together research. TechTrends, 62(5), 525-534. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0312-7
Macharia, J. (2025) Gender and media representation perspectives for sub-Saharan Africa. Foreword. Emerald Publishing. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251001
Marachto, E., & Omland, S. (2025). Conceptualising participation as representation, interaction and engagement. Chapter 1. In M. Jjuuko, S. Omland, & C. Dralega (Eds.). Gender and media representation. Emerald Publishing. United Kingdom. xvii-xviii. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251002
Matsilele, T., Makwambeni, B., Nkoala, S. and Bulani, G. (2023) Youth audiences and social media integration in community radio stations in South Africa: A case study of Zibonele FM and Bush Radio. In book: Converged Radio, Youth and Urbanity in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan. 123-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19417-7_8.
McLeod, S. (2024). Meta-synthesis of qualitative research. https://www.simplypsychology.org/ Media Update (2021) How media industry has changed in 2021? https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/150853/how-the-media-industry-has-changed-in-2021
MiniÊ, D. (2007). Feminist Media Theory and Activism: Different Worlds or Possible Cooperation. https://nenasilje.org/publikacije/pdf/20poticaja/20pieces-minic.pdf
Mitchell, C. (1998). Women’s (community) radio as a feminist public sphere. Javnost: The Public, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/13183222.1998.11008676
Mitchell, C. (2016). Women and radio – airing differences. On the importance of community radio as a space for women’s representation, participation and resistance. (Doctoral thesis. University of Sunderland). 1–45. http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/6858/
Molefe, L., & Molefe, R. (2007). Community radio in South Africa – Getting It from the horse’s mouth. Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity, 21(72), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2007.9674846
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). (2022) Future proofing community radio. Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA. 1-65.
Naples, N. (2024). Feminist theory. Core concepts in sociology. 110–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394260331.ch32
Njuguna, J. (2025). Community radio as an enabler of women’s empowerment in Kenya: A systematic review of scholarly evidence. Chapter 14. In M. Jjuuko, S. Omland, & C. Dralega (Eds.). Gender and media representation from sub-Saharan Africa. Emerald Publishing, 207–222. http://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251015.
Naughton, T. (1996). Empowering women for gender equality. Agenda Feminist Media, 30, 12–18.
Oduaran, C., & Nelson, O. (2019). Community radio women and family. An experiential study. Journal of Women’s International Studies, 20(7), 102–112. https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol20/iss7/7
Olorunnisola, A. (2009) Community radio: participatory communication in post-apartheid South Africa, Journal of Radio Studies, 9:1, 126-145, DOI: 10.1207/s15506843jrs0901_11.
Osunkunle, O. (2021). Community radio’s contribution to political awareness and participation in South Africa: Lessons from Radio Grahamstown and Forte FM Radio. Global Media Journal: TR Edition, 11(22), 1–19. https://globalmediajournaltr.yeditepe.edu.tr/sites/default/files/sayilar/2021_bahar/01_oluyinka_osunkunle.pdf
Patel, A. (2018) Masculinity in Muslim media: a case study of radio Islam. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/25706
Rimmer, M. (2021) Breaking the silence: community radio, women, and empowerment. Oxford University Press: Community Development Journal, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsz030
Rollom, S. (2024). Radio, my lifesaver: Finding my voice. UNICEF-supported mental health community radio dialogues. 13 February 2024. 1. https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/blog/radio-mylifesaver#:~:text=Sikelela's%20experiences
Seeking Modern Applications for Real Transformation (SMART). (2023). Gender and its understanding in community radio stations: A survey analysis. NGO. https://smartngo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Understanding-Community-Radio-Functionality-Through-A-Gendered-Lens_-An-Analysis.pdf
Sewlal, R. & Ntshangase, J. (2022). In the public interest: Audience participation in radio broadcasting is key to financial sustainability and the public interest. In State of the News Room, 100 Years of radio broadcasting. Wits Centre for Journalism, https://journalism.co.za/resources/state-of-the-newsroom
Sharma, L. (2023) Community Radio Sustaining and Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship in India. Chetana International Journal of Education (CEIJE), 8(1), Pp 180-195. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376885515_Community_Radio_Sustaining_and_Promoting_Rural_Entrepreneurship_in_India?enrichId=rgreqea049a5956b4cdadd1982327e92b70fdXXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzM3Njg4NTUxNTtBUzoxMTQzMTI4MTIxNTE2NDMwMkAxNzA0MDIyNzEwMjc5&el=1_x_3&_esc=publicationCoverPdf.
Solomon, E. (2025). Digital storytelling in social media: A cultural activity and a media style in fighting gender based violence in Tanzania. Chapter 9. In M. Jjuuko, S. Omland, & C. Dralega (Eds.). Gender and media representation from sub-Saharan Africa. Emerald Publishing. 125–139. http://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-406-820251015
Steiner, L. (2012) Failed theories; Explaining gender difference in journalism. Review of Communication. 12(3), 201-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2012.666559
Steiner, L. (2014). Feminist media theory. In R. Fortner & P. Fackler, (Eds). The handbook of media and mass communication theory. 357-359. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118591178.ch20
Thorne, S. (2022). Qualitative meta-synthesis. Wiley. 32, 15–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/nae2.12036
Tuchman, G. (1978). The symbolic annihilation of women. Chapter 9. In: L. Crothers, & C. Lockhart, (Eds.). Culture and politics. Palgrave Macmillan, 150–174. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-62397-6_9
Tyali, S. (2021). Challenges in normative conceptualisation: Regarding the evolving trends of the community radio industry of South Africa. Communicare Journal for Communication Studies in Africa 40(2),82-100. DOI:10.36615/jcssa.v40i2.1312.
Tyali, S. & Tomaselli, K. (2015). Assessing beneficiary communities’ participation in HIV/AIDS communication through community radio: X-K FM as a case study. Communicare: Journal of Communication Studies in Africa, 34(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v34i2.1609
Van Zoonen, L. (1994). Feminist media studies. In J. Curran, & M. Gurevitch, M. (Eds). Mass media and communication. Sage. 31–51.
Watkins, C. & Emerson, R. (2000). Feminist media criticism and feminist media practices. The Annals of American Academy, AAPS, 571. 151–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/000271620057100111
Community Radio Toolkit. (2026 February 05). https://www.communityradiotoolkit.net/on-air/programming/
Kingfisher FM Background. (2026 February 05). https://www.kingfisherfm.co.za/
Kingfisher FM: Port Elizabeth. February 2026. https://www.facebook.com/KingfisherFM/
Nkqubela FM Community Radio Station. (2026 February 05). https://nkqubelafm.co.za/shows
Nkqubela FM: Nelson Mandela Bay. February 2026. https://www.facebook.com/p/Nkqubela-FM-100063841212122/
Nkqubela FM: Nelson Mandela Bay. February 2026. https://www.tiktok.com/@nkqubela.fm1
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Vuyelwa Jacobs
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
