An organisation set up to raise funds for women’s charities, Stand up For Women, has launched a petition with the objective of encouraging the BBC to promote international Women’s Day (IWD) more actively in 2015.
This year’s BBC coverage included a live debate in the House of Commons, World Service documentaries, an all female Radio 1 line up, a cultural round up on Radio 4’s 'Loose Ends' and many news features about global women’s issues. Plus we eagerly await the results of this year's Women's Hour Power List which will focus on 'Game Changers'.
Asking for people to sign a petition to promote IWD, on the face of it, is a great idea. I completely agree with the sentiment; IWD or rather the aims it is working towards – global freedom and equality for women – should have more coverage everywhere.
But, the problem is that this is just half the issue. The BBC tells stories in the form of documentaries and drama, it reports on news and broadcasts debate. If we want more coverage, we have to create things for them to cover.
Women need to write and produce drama, documentaries and discussion. Don’t underestimate the importance of social media, which is freedom personified. In the Lebanon domestic violence law protests this weekend social media played a crucial role creating awareness of the issues before the protests even began.
We all have the power to promote or condemn and spread our opinion. Instead of asking for more general coverage, we should be saying, here is what we want, here is the story, this is how we are telling it, and you (broadcasters) will want to be part of it.
So creative ladies everywhere, let’s think outside the box. Write some great drama, explain your ideas, film some great debate and instead of asking for recognition, take the opportunities available to us now and take control of who hears the story.
Campaigns are won by massing supporters with a common goal. At no point have women had the opportunity to connect with the world in the way we can today.
Sign the petition by all means, but let’s not forget the fact that social media has put our own voice in charge of global information exchange for the first time in human history.
This is my ‘take out’ from International Women’s Day – we have the power, so let’s use it.
If you would like to sign the Stand Up for Women petition it can be found HERE.
What do you think?
Al Stary is a media producer and writer.
