Radio Nisaa FM was launched in 2009, by Maysoun Odeh and the Womanity Foundation, as the first women’s Arabic-language commercial radio station and multimedia website in the Middle East . Nisaa FM creates quality programming that caters to women and men across generations, social statuses, and geographic distances by offering a platform of cultural and social information, discussion, and entertainment, and by voicing women’s aspirations and opinions. Our radio-waves overcome separation walls and cultural segregation and connect women to a supportive community that showcases inspirational role-models and promotes their empowerment. The station also transforms the perception of women’s role in society by highlighting their social engagement, successes, and creativity. In addition, Nisaa FM seeks to train and employ women to facilitate their engagement in the mostly male-dominated media industry.
Nisaa FM broadcasts in Arabic worldwide from its website www.radionisaa.ps and on 96.0 FM for Central West Bank, 96.2 FM for Northern West Bank, 92.2 for Southern West Bank, and Northern Gaza. The radio station is located in, and operates from, Ramallah.
The quality of Nisaa FM’s programming, the talent of its presenters and producers, its excellent play lists, and the strength of its signal, all contribute to distinguishing the radio from most other media outlets in the region. Programs are enriched by audience participation via emails, call-ins, and vox pops gathered by a small network of female volunteer correspondents who provide updates and opinions from different governorates. Nisaa FM’s website and social media activity complement the radio’s production with news, stories, and audience opinion and feedback. The website streams Nisaa FM’s programming and thus connects women in a land occupied and divided by walls with the world.
Nisaa FM is helping women overcome their isolation and create transformative connections. As a station concerned with bringing about gender-equality in a patriarchal society, we consider men to be equal partners in our endeavors. We believe that true and lasting change in society can only happen by inspiring women and men with positive and leading examples of women. Palestinian women are strong, assertive, and are taking the lead to pursue their aspirations and creating change in society within Palestine and in the Diaspora.