Bahraini Non-Governmental Organizations Debut PSAs

On May 3, representatives from seven women's organizations in Bahrain screened nine Public Service Announcements (PSAs), each 30 seconds in length, in an effort to bring issues affecting women to the attention of the Bahraini public. The PSAs are the end result of a three-week workshop in which fourteen women and one youth learned how to use the latest “prosumer” gear, and to write, film and edit video messages in response to social challenges such as: access to technology, women’s participation in public life (2010 elections), domestic abuse, illiteracy, youth development and the rights of Bahraini children to access citizenship through their mothers. 

“We are pleased to be a part of the first efforts to bring this knowledge and training to the public, beginning with women who already demonstrate leadership capacity,” commented Alison Fast, Program Director at Barefoot Workshops and project implementer. The PSAs call attention to services offered by Bahraini women’s societies such as legal guidance, abuse hotlines, family counseling and support, as well as computer and IT training for women. The workshop, entitled, “Affecting Public Awareness and Opinion with Video Messaging,” was led by New York City-based, Barefoot Workshops, with assistance from a local Bahraini partner, Smart Coaching & Research Center, and funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program.  According to Alison, participants regarded this PSA training to be unique to any other training they have attended. “There is a thirst for these tools and the knowledge of how to use them to accelerate goals in the nonprofit sector and beyond”, she added.

The final screening included 100 attendees from members of civil society organizations, youth, and local production companies.  The event was covered in the local press including Gulf Daily, and the PSAs can be found on MEPI Abu Dhabi YouTube channel.