by Karito Acuna
On International Women’s Day, 8 March 2026, we pause to celebrate progress, but more importantly, to recommit to our purpose. As the Women’s Committee, our voice is not just about recognition; it is about responsibility, legacy and lifting others as we rise.
Bridging Generations in Broadcasting
Many of us entered broadcasting at a time when there were few seats at the table for women. We learned by watching, listening, staying late and sometimes working twice as hard just to be heard. Today, women stand together in broadcasting with something invaluable to offer: experience.
Mentorship is more than guidance; it is an inheritance. When a seasoned broadcaster takes a young producer, podcaster, or presenter under her wing, she passes on more than technical skills. She passes on resilience. She models ethical storytelling and demonstrates how to lead conversations and creative spaces with confidence, credibility and clarity.
We believe the next generation of women in media should not have to guess their way forward. Through structured mentorship, informal coffee conversations, studio shadowing and honest dialogue about our challenges, we can ensure the path ahead is clearer and wider than the one we walked.
Keeping Our Mother Tongues Alive
Broadcasting is power. It shapes culture, identity and belonging. In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, through podcasting, social streaming, and community radio, we hold an extraordinary opportunity to preserve our mother tongues.
Every time a woman tells a story in her native language, interviews an elder, or produces a podcast in a language that is slowly fading, she becomes a cultural guardian. Language carries memory; it carries humour, proverbs, lullabies, and history. When we broadcast in our mother tongues, we affirm identity and dignity. We remind young listeners that their heritage is not outdated; it is alive.
As women communicators, we are often the storytellers in our families and communities. Now, we extend that storytelling to the airwaves and digital platforms. Cultural preservation is not nostalgia; it is continuity.
Breaking the Silence
There is another story that needs telling, one that is harder, quieter and often hidden. In many of our cultures, mental health remains a taboo subject. Struggles are whispered about, therapy is misunderstood, and strength is often mistaken for silence.
Several years ago, someone very close to me faced severe burnout and depression after years in a high-pressure environment. On the outside, this person was accomplished and admired. On the inside, they were exhausted, anxious and losing hope. It took immense courage to speak openly about seeking professional help.
What changed everything was conversation. When they shared their journey with trusted colleagues and family, something powerful happened: others began to share, too. What once felt isolating became a bridge. Support systems formed, check-ins became normal, and therapy was no longer a secret, it was a step toward healing.
In broadcasting, where we are constantly “on,” mental health can quietly erode. As women balancing careers, families, expectations and community roles, the pressure multiplies. By speaking openly, responsibly and with consent, we create space for healing and replace stigma with solidarity.
Our Commitment
This International Women’s Day, our message is simple:
- We will mentor boldly.
- We will preserve culture intentionally.
- We will speak about mental health compassionately and courageously.
Our voices are not only meant to inform; they are meant to transform. To every woman in broadcasting, podcasting, production and digital media: your voice matters, your story matters and together, our collective voice is powerful enough to shape the future.
Let us continue to rise and bring others with us.
Heartfelt,
Karito Acuna
NEMBC Women’s Committee Western Australia Representative
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