On November 3, 2011, the 36th General Conference of UNESCO approved the creation of the World Day of Radio, to be celebrated on February 13th of each year.

This year, there's a special focus on the role of women in radio. Check out this great infographic about women's role in radio around the world. (Also, this is the 10th anniversary of the NCRA's report and toolkit on women in campus and community radio in Canada: Women's Hands and Voices!)

UNESCO states: "World Radio Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through radio and enhance networking among broadcasters.

Radio has to be recognized as a low cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

There is also a changing face to radio services which, in the present times of media convergence, are taking up new technological forms, such as broadband, mobiles and tablets.However, it is said that up to a billion people still do not have access to radio today."

For more information go to www.worldradioday.org