"I didn't even want to be a journalist," says Kadiatou, a radio reporter in Port Loko. "Listening to Talking Drum's studio shows, I was struck. I felt how much of an impact they had on people, and it inspired me to contribute in the same way to changing the lives of women."

For the past seven years, Bankasoka Radio, located in Port Loko, the most populous district in northern Sierra Leone, has been one of Talking Drum Studio's many partners, broadcasting its radio programs. Many of these shows are intended for women, covering topics such as women in governance, women’s political participation, gender-based violence, or teen pregnancy.

TDS trained Kadiatou in gender-sensitive reporting. "We now have all the tools to produce sensitive, unbiased, transparent reports that contribute to our communities. This has enabled us to be nominated as the best community radio station in Sierra Leone."

The work of reporters like Kadiatou is helping mend political divisions in the country. "Our radio programs finally have more influence than political speeches, and their status as women now outweighs any political ideology. TDS has made it clear that every person has the right to choose a political party, just like the right to life or freedom."

Women are now taking peace into their own hands. "Women's groups have started to form, including women from opposing political parties who used to clash. They promote peace, resolve conflicts, and organize joint activities to strengthen their bonds, such as soccer matches."

Kadiatou has also changed. She becomes more confident each day, as a reporter, as a woman. "Before, I was ashamed to speak in public. TDS has encouraged me to speak up, to defend my rights and those of other women. Now girls and women in my community come to me when they need help. I am proud of the lives I have been able to change."

With women's empowerment, representation in politics is changing and stereotypes are being broken.

"What men can do, we can do. We now have a female section chief, whereas before, people were against it. We now pave the way for more women in parliament, working side by side with men for the development of our country," concludes Kadiatou with a confident smile.