Thanks to improved access to information and a powerful participatory communication approach, villagers in isolated communities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Niger are making strides to improve gender equality and empower women. FAO Dimitra community listeners’ clubs are helping rural populations participate in the development of both their communities and themselves. The clubs enable members – women, men and youth – to share concerns and take collective action. Collaborating with rural radio stations that feed and broadcast their discussions, the clubs have become agents of change in agriculture but also in other aspects of society, taking on sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS, early marriage and the rights of women to inherit land. The approach boosts members’ self confidence - especially women’s - and raises awareness about the needs and priorities of rural populations. Members have played crucial roles in helping resolve community conflicts peacefully and giving rural women an increased role in decision-making. Dimitra’s grassroots success explains its growth. Since its 2006 launch in DRC, Dimitra spread to Niger in 2009 and by 2012 reached a combined total of 1 000 listeners’ clubs with roughly 24 500 members and direct beneficiaries, and 147 000 indirect beneficiaries. New Dimitra community listeners’ clubs are being created in Burundi, Mauritania and Senegal.