News & Impact
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July 18, 2013
 When a rainstorm destroyed several houses in a village in rural Liberia, the inhabitants sent a text message to their community radio station using the new SMS Initiative “Constituency Communication Platform” (CCP). After receiving the text the station immediately broadcast the information, and a local affiliate of the International Red Cross, listening to the station, rushed to help rebuild the village. The CCP is a successful component of the Civil Society and Media Leadership (CSML) program in Liberia, implemented by IREX and funded by USAID. |
June 27, 2013
 IREX’s latest Africa Media Sustainability Index (MSI) found that traditional media remain the preferred source of news. Many benefits presented by online media have yet to reach most citizens in the 42 sub-Saharan African countries analyzed. Nonetheless, transition to online and mobile format media appears inevitable. |
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May 14, 2013
 Community-based institutions, whether they be civil society groups or community radio stations, have the reach and community buy-in to best serve citizens’ needs, and advocate on citizens’ behalf. On a recent trip to Gbarnga, in Bong County, I learned first-hand the breadth of that reach and the exciting cumulative effect of the mentorship and training that the Civil Society and Media Leadership Program in Liberia (CSML) has been providing since 2010. |
March 20, 2013
 The images told a story, one of confusion, misunderstanding and the stark reality that confronts the men in this room on a daily basis. It’s a reality that poses a challenge for IREX and its partners. At issue: mainstreaming gender in community radio programs and policies. The 19 men here were in the central Liberian city of Gbarnga for a CSML-run gender awareness training for community radio managers and news directors. They had been asked to draw images of their understanding of gender, and their drawings spoke volumes. |
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March 14, 2013
 Recently, journalists at Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR) challenged citizens in R.C. Lawson Community, a small village on the outskirts of Monrovia, to take a stand against sexual exploitation through interactive theatre. IREX’s Civil Society and Media Leadership program is committed to strengthening the capacity of Liberian’s civil society and media outlets, including community radio stations. Through this training and subsequent community and radio presentations, citizens are activated not as bystanders, but as agents of change in their communities. |
March 7, 2013
 In honor of International Women's Day, IREX sat down with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and women's rights activist Leymah Gbowee to get her views on the opportunities and challenges facing the global women's movement as well as the role of men in the struggle for gender equality. |
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March 5, 2013
 We’re going to celebrate International Women’s Day this week, and when we do, the ceremonies will focus on outstanding women. These women will be heroes for all of us - every man, woman and child around the world. When women are able to play more useful and important roles in our societies, everyone benefits, and our horizons keep expanding. |
December 3, 2012
 Despite Liberia’s progress since its civil war ended, the country’s rate of gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic violence and sexual assault, is still staggering. Estimates are that between 60 to 90 percent of women in Liberia have suffered from some type of GBV.
But the country’s government and its civil society organizations are rising to the challenge. One of IREX’s partners, Liberia Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC), is getting the word out about GBV through a series of radio dramas, spot messages, radio talk shows, news programs, and community forums. |
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September 19, 2012
 Are you currently engaged in community development work? Do you have the potential to be a leader and change-maker in your community? Are you looking for a career development opportunity to increase your professional skills, experience and networks? If you answered yes to the above questions then you may be an excellent candidate for this year’s Community Solutions Program. |
September 17, 2012
 IREX is seeking qualified experts to serve on the 2013-2014 Community Solutions Program selection committee. The Community Solutions Program is a professional development program for the best and brightest global community leaders working to make positive, lasting change in their local communities. If you are interested in participating in this year’s selection committee for the Community Solutions Program, please e-mail communitysolutions@irex.org by October 1, 2012 |
