Listening to the Land: Radio Bundelkhand's Female Voices Intertwining Gender, Climate, and Community
“In my childhood, forests surrounded our farms, and rainfall was always regular. When the seasons started to change slowly, we assumed things would return to normal—until once-bountiful wheat farms began failing to yield even a year’s worth of grain. Climate change then became extremely significant to me.”
These are not the words of a farmer, though they could be. They belong to Varsha Raikwar, the first and only female jockey at Radio Bundelkhand. Launched in 2008 by Development Alternatives, this community radio station uses media and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to amplify voices in Bundelkhand—a region in Central India that continues to face deep-rooted socio economic challenges.
The Land and Its Women
Like many parts of the world, women here too play crucial roles in agriculture and the household but face barriers at many levels: limited access to education, land ownership, and economic dependence. Climate change further widens these inequalities, disproportionately affecting women.
The absence of dedicated communication channels further silences their voices. Radio Bundelkhand FM 90.4 bridges this gap by providing a platform for climate knowledge, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and community building.
Reshaping Narratives Through Radio
“My dream is to educate more people about climate change, to impact them and change the way they think about it”.
Driven by her love for radio and her determination to challenge the social norm that women don’t ‘work’, Varsha joined Radio Bundelkhand as its first female jockey.
As the producer of the station’s popular Shubh Kal (A Better Tomorrow) program, she highlighted climate issues—especially those affecting local farmers—using accessible local languages and folk music to engage listeners. In collaboration with the Radio Bundelkhand team, she launched a pioneering radio reality contest that mobilised listeners across 100 villages to develop climate solutions—from rainwater harvesting systems and composting techniques to thriving kitchen gardens.
As her work progressed, Varsha noticed that women’s voices remained absent despite their central role in agriculture. In response, Radio Bundelkhand introduced women-centric programs like Har Ghar Poshan Abhiyaan (Nutrition Campaign for Every Household), Rojai Roz Ki Baatein (Everyday Conversations), and Stree Ek Kahani Meri Bhi (Woman: A Story of Mine Too).
In partnership with the L’Oréal Foundation, the station launched a seven-part podcast series on climate change and its impact on women. It also trained women as reporters and presenters, organised Poshan Mela (nutrition fairs) to raise awareness about women’s rights and sustainable farming, and expanded community engagement through WhatsApp groups, mobile apps, and expert-led live interactions.
Input: Women’s Voices, Output: Community Resilience
Varsha and her colleagues have had a profound impact on Bundelkhand's women. Through climate, gender, and governance programs, they have enhanced awareness about rights, nutrition, health, and sustainable farming. Geeta Kushwa, for instance, learned organic farming techniques through the Shubh Kal program, transforming her infertile land into a thriving orchard.
Radio Bundelkhand has also equipped women with digital storytelling and advocacy skills, ensuring their voices shape policy and community decisions.
In 2021, Varsha was recognised as a United Nations Young Climate Leader, joining 16 others in the #WeTheChangeNow campaign to spotlight youth-driven climate action. Radio Bundelkhand now reaches 250,000 listeners across 150 villages, standing as a powerful example of how women-led communication can spark macro-level change.
The Road Ahead
Building on its success, Radio Bundelkhand aims to expand beyond radio broadcasts to create physical spaces where women can lead climate action. Plans include integrating financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and climate adaptation content for women while scaling outreach to more villages. Enhanced impact assessment strategies are also underway to replicate the model in other regions. With each new voice on air, the network of informed, resilient communities continues to grow.
This case study is part of the ‘Green Economies, Powered By Women’ campaign by SHE Changes Climate to spotlight women entrepreneurs driving climate solutions in Brazil, South Asia, and Africa.