22 media professionals, 14 women and 8 men, are taking part in a 3-day workshop organized by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The workshop, which was today attended by Ministers from Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, specifically discussed equal rights for men and women journalists, fair portrayal of women in the media, fundamental principles and standards of gender equality and women representation in structures of the media houses and the union.
The NUSOJ leadership attending the workshop highlighted the importance of the workshop and stated that it is being conducted after survey on gender equality in the media was carried out. “We are dedicated to promote and protect gender equality and the rights of female journalists in the media houses, in the union and in the society,” said Ms Udbi Suleyman Mahdi, NUSOJ Secretary for Gender Issues, who spoke to participants at the 3-day workshop. “Achieving gender equality in the media is our priority,” she added.
Minister for Women Development and Family Affairs, Honorable Fowsiya Mohamed Sheikh, and Minister of Sports and Youth, Honorable Suleyman Olad Roble, attended the workshop to represent the government.
“I am glad to witness that our journalists are fighting for gender equality as much as they are striving for a safe working situation,” said Honorable Fowsiya Mohamed Sheikh. “We have many unfavorable gender based traditions that go against women rights. Journalists have an incontestable and important role in defeating these traditions. With the aim of benefiting from this role, I appeal to journalists to first secure gender equality among themselves and then lead the struggle for gender equality in the society,” said the Minister for Women Development and Family Affairs.
At the end of the first day of presentations and discussions, journalists participating in the workshop committed themselves to promote gender equality and work for a more conducive environment for women journalists, and also demand equal pay and opportunities. The participating journalists vowed to address under-representation of women in the media. Finally, the participating journalists also stressed the need to promote gender-sensitive reporting among media professionals.
