The Mexican government has sided with radio and TV monopolies owned by private capital. Alternative and cultural radio stations are still excluded from the Mexican radio and television law. Only a few broadcasting community and cultural radios have licenses, due to social pressure and the work of civil organizations. Indigenous communities which since centuries have been excluded and relegated to poverty and marginalization, need media access to freely express their voices and to participate in public decision making.

Radio Huayacocotla La Voz de los Campesinos (Radio Huaya) has been able to contribute to the exercise of these rights, despite the adversities. Nahuatl, Tepehua and Otomi indigenous people and the Spanish-speaking peasants are the main actors who participate in the Radio. In rural and indigenous communities in Mexico there are a few women working in media, being journalists or developing a professional career as community communicators and the Radio strongly supports them as well. Radio Huaya promotes the exchange of information and knowledge; the diversity of content, with editorial freedom based on the topics of interest to indigenous communities, with news that expand their voice. Its policy is for the people of the communities to decide on the programs’ focus - an approach which helps to build cultural identity, promotes alternative and local information by enabling indigenous communities to exercise their right to freedom of expression.

This project aims to reinforce indigenous women's participation in media, as well as to strengthen capacities of indigenous communities in the development and dissemination of cultural content. It will see the delivery of training in broadcasting local news in indigenous languages, as well as on journalist protection and gender mainstreaming as priority topics, particularly in light of the increasing violence in drug trafficking and political conflict in Mexico.