women aloud video blogging for empowerment (wave)

[email protected]

April 2011

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of Indiahttp://indiagovernance.gov.in/

Researched and Documented by

OneWorld Foundation India

Women Aloud Video Blogging for Empowerment (WAVE)

TRANSPARENCY AND

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Government of India

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ................................

Background ................................

Objective ................................................................

Working Design ................................

Key Stakeholders................................

Lessons learned ................................

RANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Governance Knowledge Centre

Promoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances


Researched and documented by


Women Empowerment

Women Aloud Video Blogging for

Empowerment, April 2011

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CCOUNTABILITY

Case Study Women Empowerment



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TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

Executive Summary Based on the idea of community media, Women Aloud Video blogging for Empowerment

(WAVE) is a platform for women interested in video production to blog in video format about

social issues of their state and share information on the WAVE website (www.waveind

to spread awareness, obtain public response and make a positive change in society. Each

woman represents their state and shares their views through video blogging with each other

and viewers online. It is simply expressing oneself on camera or capt

story or an opinion, with or without editing, as a form of citizen journalism online. The process

of making videos with a wide audience generates interest amongst viewers. The blogs acts as a

powerful tool of information, communic

various organisations including development sector, academics and social investors.

The website, launched in April 2010, has received over 15,000 unique visitors from

countries. There are 200 videos to date that have been viewed 85,000 times on YouTube and

other video hosting sites. With a camera kit costing up to Rs 20,000, an internet connection and

training, young women are empowered to create their own videos on

their local areas. The women participants are given video equipment, training on ideating,

research writing and shooting videos for 10 days, followed by a mentorship period of 9 months.

They are required to send one video every mon

addresses the problem of educated urban women’s unemployment, which is the highest of

other demographic groups currently. Financial security increa

own life decisions including ma

understanding of the multitude of women’s issues across India. Awareness is the first step to

addressing challenges collectively and WAVE’s aim is to network individuals and groups

concerned about women’s rights to discuss and work towards solutions.

Background WAVE was conceived by Sapna Shahani (Director) and Angana Jhaveri (Associate Director).

They won an award from the 2009 Digital Media and Learning Competition sponsored by

MacArthur Foundation and Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Advanced

Collaboratory (HASTAC) in the US.

The selection of each blogger is based on NGO’s recommendations she is affiliated with and

then shortlisted from amongst qualified applicants to receive free video training, camera

equipment and monthly stipends for participating

training is organised in a collaborative







Women Empowerment



ummary Based on the idea of community media, Women Aloud Video blogging for Empowerment


social issues of their state and share information on the WAVE website (www.waveind



and viewers online. It is simply expressing oneself on camera or capturing images to narrate a



powerful tool of information, communication, and invites participation from individuals and


The website, launched in April 2010, has received over 15,000 unique visitors from



training, young women are empowered to create their own videos on development issues from



They are required to send one video every month and receive a stipend for each video. WAVE


other demographic groups currently. Financial security increases women’s ability to make her

own life decisions including marriage and childbirth. By watching these videos, visitors gain an



about women’s rights to discuss and work towards solutions.

WAVE was conceived by Sapna Shahani (Director) and Angana Jhaveri (Associate Director).



tory (HASTAC) in the US.



equipment and monthly stipends for participating in the 9 month project. An intensive 10

collaborative way with experts facilitating practical exercises on

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Based on the idea of community media, Women Aloud Video blogging for Empowerment


social issues of their state and share information on the WAVE website (www.waveindia.org)



uring images to narrate a



ation, and invites participation from individuals and


The website, launched in April 2010, has received over 15,000 unique visitors from 100



development issues from



th and receive a stipend for each video. WAVE


ses women’s ability to make her

rriage and childbirth. By watching these videos, visitors gain an



WAVE was conceived by Sapna Shahani (Director) and Angana Jhaveri (Associate Director).





in the 9 month project. An intensive 10-day

way with experts facilitating practical exercises on

TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

visualising stories to creative techniques such as animation. The women selected represent

diverse religions, languages, cultural backgrounds and yet there is no barrier.

After the training, they returned to their home states

with their camera equipment and started to video blog.

They are also mentored through the process of scripting

and sending the video files to the

internet. There is a video production toolkit especially

designed for Indian NGOs and grassroots video makers

that can be downloaded from the website in English and

Hindi. The aim is to inform viewers in India and around

the world about the unique struggles and successes of

diverse Indian communities, as well as to inspire the

audience to contribute resources towards problems

highlighted or to replicate the successful models that are

featured on the WAVE website. After the pilot pro

proved to be successful with participants reporting a

high level of impact, WAVE’s endeavour now is to

adopt a more sustainable social entrepreneurship model

facilitating digital multimedia news feature stories from

its network of women journalists fo

provide training, equipment, mentorship and work opportunities to young women and

highlight unheard voices from marginalised communities.

Objective WAVE aims to empower women to express their opinions online through video or written

blogs to bring gender and social perspectives into the public domain, that were previously

missing. Video cameras have been used as an agent of advocating for change in go

infrastructure and social fabric.

Working Design

WAVE advises its trainees to follow steps mentioned below to create effective videos:

‘1) Pre-production’ steps such as ideating, planning and research makes a video more

impactful.







Women Empowerment




es, cultural backgrounds and yet there is no barrier.

After the training, they returned to their home states

with their camera equipment and started to video blog.

They are also mentored through the process of scripting

and sending the video files to the central office over the

internet. There is a video production toolkit especially

designed for Indian NGOs and grassroots video makers

that can be downloaded from the website in English and

Hindi. The aim is to inform viewers in India and around

about the unique struggles and successes of

diverse Indian communities, as well as to inspire the

audience to contribute resources towards problems

highlighted or to replicate the successful models that are

featured on the WAVE website. After the pilot project

proved to be successful with participants reporting a

high level of impact, WAVE’s endeavour now is to

adopt a more sustainable social entrepreneurship model

facilitating digital multimedia news feature stories from

its network of women journalists for clients requiring such web content. They will continue to


highlight unheard voices from marginalised communities.

WAVE aims to empower women to express their opinions online through video or written


missing. Video cameras have been used as an agent of advocating for change in go

infrastructure and social fabric.


production’ steps such as ideating, planning and research makes a video more

CCOUNTABILITY




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es, cultural backgrounds and yet there is no barrier.

r clients requiring such web content. They will continue to


WAVE aims to empower women to express their opinions online through video or written


missing. Video cameras have been used as an agent of advocating for change in governance,


production’ steps such as ideating, planning and research makes a video more

TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

a) Ideating: Conceiving an idea and its execution is called ideating. Once an idea is chosen, it is

advisable to do some basic online research or speak to some

understand various aspects of the issue. Then the video makers send brief descriptions of their

ideas and seek feedback from mentors who are experienced video makers.

b) Research and Scripting: Once the feedback about th

is done as needed and an outline or ‘script’ for the video is written

as simple as three columns, one each for duration (of each portion of the video that moves the

story along), video and audio. Since videos are a combination of visuals (who/what the viewer

sees) with audio (music, narration, interviewee voice, etc), ideally it should be communicated

through a two-column script format with video on the right and audio on the left of t

is also helpful to insert the duration of each section of the video to determine the pace and

length of the video. Next, this script is shared with the mentors for feedback and additional tips

that helps the blogger during video production. Tex

credits to those who have helped in the making of the video, ‘subtitles’ that translate from one

language to another can be added into the script as well. A script makes it easy to visualise the

story before shooting a video and planning ahead saves time when shooting and editing later.

2) Production: The video maker would need to know how to operate the basic functions of a

video camcorder, digital still camera or a mobile phone. Beyond that, they can improve

of their video by learning about composition,

lighting and movement of their shots, among other

videography techniques. Audio is equally important

in order for video to impact viewers, although it is

the invisible aspect of a video.

3) Editing: After all the video pieces are gathered,

assembling the story in the right order is essential to

communicate the message to viewers. This is

achieved by combining visuals and sound using

computer program and exporting the finished video

in one file which can be uploaded to the internet

(such as to the YouTube website) as well show it on

other playback options. An easy software to use

beginners is Windows Movie Maker which is

included in Windows or the open

Movie Creator (VLMC) which is d







Women Empowerment




advisable to do some basic online research or speak to some subject experts about the idea to



b) Research and Scripting: Once the feedback about the idea is received, more detailed research

is done as needed and an outline or ‘script’ for the video is written up. The script format can be

simple as three columns, one each for duration (of each portion of the video that moves the

o and audio. Since videos are a combination of visuals (who/what the viewer


column script format with video on the right and audio on the left of t



that helps the blogger during video production. Text,information like the title of the video, end



hooting a video and planning ahead saves time when shooting and editing later.


video camcorder, digital still camera or a mobile phone. Beyond that, they can improve

of their video by learning about composition,

lighting and movement of their shots, among other

videography techniques. Audio is equally important

in order for video to impact viewers, although it is

the invisible aspect of a video.

After all the video pieces are gathered,

assembling the story in the right order is essential to

communicate the message to viewers. This is

achieved by combining visuals and sound using

computer program and exporting the finished video

an be uploaded to the internet

(such as to the YouTube website) as well show it on

other playback options. An easy software to use for

Movie Maker which is

included in Windows or the open-source VideoLAN

Movie Creator (VLMC) which is downloadable for free.

FIGURE 1: Map displaying video blogge

the country

Source: WAVE

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subject experts about the idea to



e idea is received, more detailed research

up. The script format can be

simple as three columns, one each for duration (of each portion of the video that moves the

o and audio. Since videos are a combination of visuals (who/what the viewer


column script format with video on the right and audio on the left of the page. It



t,information like the title of the video, end



hooting a video and planning ahead saves time when shooting and editing later.


video camcorder, digital still camera or a mobile phone. Beyond that, they can improve the look

Map displaying video bloggers across

TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

Methodology

The Governance Knowledge Centre (GKC) research team selected WAVE on the basis of its

unique, financially and socially sustainable business model. For documentation, the team

interacted with the project director to learn more about the projects details, ob

achievements.

Key Stakeholders

WAVE was founded by two women

and the organisation is run with a cash award received from Digital Media and Learning

(DML) Competition. It was sponsored by

In India, Point of View a non

promoting women’s points of view through the media helped administer the project.







Women Empowerment





interacted with the project director to learn more about the projects details, ob

WAVE was founded by two women- Sapna Shahani (Director) and Angana Jhaveri (Mentor),


(DML) Competition. It was sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation and HASTAC in the U.S.

In India, Point of View a non-government organization in Mumbai that works towards


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interacted with the project director to learn more about the projects details, objective, and

Sapna Shahani (Director) and Angana Jhaveri (Mentor),


the MacArthur Foundation and HASTAC in the U.S.

government organization in Mumbai that works towards


TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

Lessons learned 1) Encouraging women to video blog: Most of the women working in WAVE find it extremely

empowering to make a documentary, shoot, do research, make a script, edit, etc. These women

would not have had an opportunity to be associated with media or journalism

for WAVE.

2) Highlight issues of critical importance: 30 citizen journalists, one stationed in every state,

have the power to video blog about an issue that needs to be highlighted. The citizen

journalists’ responsibility is to bring forwa

suggest and respond to it.

3) Creating leaders for tomorrow: WAVE empowers young women with ICT tools, allowing

them to voice the challenges and solutions of their communities; provides them with peer

support through social networking; and encourages them to go on to be leaders in N

education, social entrepreneurship and journalism fields. It ensures the successful employment

of young women that secures financial empowerment.

Research was carried out by the OneWorld Foundation, Governance Knowledge Centre (GKC) team.

Documentation was created by Research Associate,

For further information, please contact

References http://www.cultureunplugged.com/storyteller/WAVE







Women Empowerment



1) Encouraging women to video blog: Most of the women working in WAVE find it extremely


would not have had an opportunity to be associated with media or journalism



journalists’ responsibility is to bring forward the issue onto a platform and provide viewers to



support through social networking; and encourages them to go on to be leaders in N


of young women that secures financial empowerment.


Documentation was created by Research Associate, Attrika Hazarika

r information, please contact Naimur Rahman, Director, OWFI at [email protected]

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/storyteller/WAVE

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1) Encouraging women to video blog: Most of the women working in WAVE find it extremely


would not have had an opportunity to be associated with media or journalism had it not been



rd the issue onto a platform and provide viewers to



support through social networking; and encourages them to go on to be leaders in NGO,



Attrika Hazarika

[email protected]

TRANSPARENCY AND



Government of India

Appendix A: Interview 1. What motivated the founders of WAVE to choose video blogging as a medium to empower

women and make an impactful change in the society?

2. What is the financial model of this project? Please tell us in detail.

3. Could you describe the following tasks provided by WAVE to the participants:

a) Training of the citizen journalists

b) Ideating

c) Research Writing

d) Shooting

e) Making edit decisions

4) What are the achievements of WAVE (both observable and measurable factors)?







Women Empowerment



nterview Questionnaire 1. What motivated the founders of WAVE to choose video blogging as a medium to empower

women and make an impactful change in the society?

odel of this project? Please tell us in detail.


a) Training of the citizen journalists


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1. What motivated the founders of WAVE to choose video blogging as a medium to empower



women aloud video blogging for empowerment (wave)

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