Sapinchikmanta (Voices for Justice) is a weekly radio project run by Indigenous women for communities in the Ayacucho region of Peru. Indigenous Peoples there are geographically, politically and socially isolated. Voices for Justice empowers women while connecting hundreds, if not thousands, of Indigenous people through modern technology. The program empowers Indigenous women radio producers and airs music, stories and creative segments to raise awareness of crucial human rights issues.
The project is located in rural communities of Ayacucho, Peru, a region only beginning to recover from decades of violence. The 20 year civil conflict cost the lives of over 69,000 people; three-quarters of whom were Indigenous. This violence was particularly severe in the Ayacucho region of Peru, where a vast majority of people live in conditions of extreme poverty. In these communities, because of gender discrimination, women have suffered significant economic, social and cultural exclusion.
Sapinchikmanta, meaning Voices for Justice, is weekly radio program that promotes the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly women and children. Its goal is to support and advocate for fundamental human rights. Sapinchikmanta uses local Indigenous languages to raise awareness of the importance of cultural expression, access to democracy and human rights, all while respecting and promoting the cultural identities and diversity in the region.
To create a national network of Indigenous communicators across Peru to address issues such as human rights, racism and discrimination, displacement, women's rights and the environment. Raising the listeners' awareness of human rights issues will increase women's status in their homes and communities. We hope to eventually reach up to 60,000 people with information on climate change, food security, domestic violence, women's political participation and health.
