UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
UNMIL-FUNDED QUICK IMPACT PROJECT ON GENDER SENSITIVE REPORTING TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS IN LOFA COUNTY
The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) trained journalists in Voinjama, Lofa County from 28 to 30 November 2017. The initiative titled: Gender Sensitive Reporting; fairer portrayal of Women in the Media was funded by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)’s Quick Impact Project to strengthen the skills of journalists and editors to analyze facts, issues and data from a gender perspective.
The three-day training was attended by 15 male and female journalists from the Foya, Zorzor and Voinjama Districts. Three journalists from neighboring Bong County also attended.
According to FeJAL Coordinator Ms. Siatta Scott Johnson, “the objective of this training is to build the capacity of local journalists in gender sensitive reporting. We are training them on how to report on issues affecting women and how to portray women in the media”, she said.
The training’s methodology was two-pronged with theoretical learning and interactive practical exercises undertaken by the participants. Topics covered include: gender analysis framework for media; gender perceptions and expectations; gender-based violence and ethics; sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse and media advocacy.
At the end of the training, an active participant Mr. Tokpa Tarnue Manager of Radio Kintoma in Voinjama said “I am now better equipped to train my colleagues on the importance and norms of gender sensitive reporting.
This is crucial due to the high number of gender-based violence cases being reported in the county. Secondly, with most female colleagues being Announcers, I would promote their empowerment by considering them for leadership roles such as Editors and Programme Directors”, he said.
Both participants and trainers thanked UNMIL for sponsoring this highly beneficial project. “We appreciate the collaboration with UNMIL and hope we can implement more projects together. Judging from the issues identified during the training in Lofa County, we know there is a lot more to be done in terms of boosting the skills of community journalists,” said Ms. Johnson.
