Farhia Mohamud Yussuf, 26- year old female journalists working in Mogadishu has confirmed her dreams of reaching a better place in media.
Yussuf born and bred in Mogadishu has completed her primary, secondary and University education in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia- a city that has witnessed over two decades of anarchy but she persevered to pursue her dreams.
“Even during my days in primary, I had the intentions of becoming a famous journalist in Somalia and around the globe, I hope this journey has started well and it is at good momentum” she said.
Since joining media in May 2012, Farhia worked with SomSat TV as reporter and producer and gained a wealth of experience before she was promoted to hold an important position in the TV: the head of Newsroom of SomSat.
“I believe that my promotion is as a result of my knowledge and ability. It is my sincere hope that I can execute my responsibilities effectively and do whatever my male counterparts do with ease contrary to what the society believes” said Yussuf.
Just like the other female journalists in the media, she was confronted by many challenges in her path, which coincided with a time when it was hard to work in Mogadishu as a journalist leave alone a female journalist.
Yussuf who is happy with the new position under her command believes that the female journalists can work well and do whatever their male counterparts do if they are resolute. She urged the female journalists to stand firm on their ground and remain unbowed.
“If the female journalists are determined and happy to work in this field, they can overcome any challenges or obstacles that come their way. The challenges related to job environment faced by female journalists can be resolved if they [ the female journalists] don’t bow down to the negative stereotypes generated by the society and support one another” said Farhia.
Farhia was among 15 female journalists who attended many trainings conducted by Somali Women Journalists Organization in collaboration with IMS-FOJO. The notable trainings Farhia and the other female journalists attended were Somali media women for change and threats against women journalists in workplace.
The objectives of the two trainings which accommodated 15 female journalists each were to portray the challenges faced by women journalists, transform the predominant culture and create a concreate change for female journalists in Somali media sector.
This move has given a positive feedback to the tireless efforts of SWJO and IMS-FOJO to create a conducive working environment for female journalists in media.
“My fellow female journalists are happy with the move [ the promotion]. They advised me not to shut their dreams and represent them fully in the top position.” She says “Their valuable advises always strengthens me and gives me power to redouble my efforts and there will be no turn back”
Yussuf blamed bad stereotypes of being the root-cause of the gender inequality in the newsrooms.
“Stereotyping by the male dominated society limits the development and capabilities, the educational experiences and life opportunities of women in media” she said.
Farhia expresses hope that the increasing gender discrimination in the media can be reduced and changed by putting in place gender equality policies. She challenged the government to formulate more responsive policies that will tackle the negative trend.
“The problems that resulted from gender inequalities are increasing day in day out, this is very sad. The subject can be resolved through tough policies that stipulate the rights of women” Farhia stressed.
Gender Respect Declaration
SomSat TV was among 30 media houses that signed and committed to implement a Gender Declaration spearheaded by SWJO in December 2018.
The gender declaration is anchored on the following benchmarks: Equality at workplace, maternity leave for female journalists, commitment to fight harassment and violence against female journalists and commitment to remove gender-based restrictions during recruitment.
The television whose main headquarters is in Mogadishu has 12 female journalists, 7 in Mogadishu and the rest working in other offices of the TV across the regions.
Confirming the gender respect declaration, they signed, the managers of the TV have for the first time promoted a female journalist, Farhia Mohamud as the head of News.
The director of SomSat TV, Hassan Kahiye underlined that the recruitment and the promotion of employees is based on merit adding that male and female journalist pass the same procedure and criteria without discrimination.
“We have promoted a female journalist as the head of News due to her education level and experience in the field. She has a bachelor degree in mass media and was part of the production team of the TV for a long time, therefore she came with a wealthy of experience. We have considered [ Farhia] because of her knowledge, hard work and ability” said Kahiye.
This is a good gesture of change in the right direction. It is a success story worth to be reported.
Responding to equality at workplace, the director highlighted that the TV is committed to the right of equal pay between male and female journalists for equal work done.
“We sign contracts with all our employees during the recruitment process, therefore, the journalist understands his/ her responsibilities, duties and salary. There is nothing secret. The male and female journalists working in our station have equal rights” Kahiye highlighted.
Kahiye urged the female journalists to play their cards well and take active roles in the media.
“The female journalists have equal rights with their male counterparts, they have good potentials that can outwit male journalists if they only ignore the stereotypes that derail their efforts and determinations” Kahiye said.
Somali media houses are accused of not giving a managerial role to female journalists which hinders them to take part in the decision-making of important issues in the media sector, but Farhia’s new position will usher in new blood to the roles women journalists play in the male dominated industry.
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