Somalia National News Agency which is a branch of the ministry of information, culture and tourism of Somalia’s federal government has appointed a female journalist, Ifrah Mohamed Abdikarim as the head of international relations of the agency.
Ifrah who was born and brought up in Yemen graduated from the faculty of Journalism and public relation at the University of Sana’a in the capital of Yemen.She joined Somalia government-run media shortly after she came back to her country, Somalia.
Before she was promoted as the head of international relations of SONNA, Ifrah was news anchorat Somali National TV and radio Mogadishu which are both branches of Somalia’s ministry of information. She used to present the Arabic news both at the TV and radio. Part of her recent mandate was posting news updates at the website of Somali National News Agency.
In this new role, Ifrah will be responsible for planning the publicity strategies and campaigns of her agency. SONNA as a member of the News Union Organizations in Arab, African and International News Agencies, Ifrah is mandated to build the relations of SONNA with other agencies and bring out the picture of her country through reliable and positive news.
Miss Ifrah highlighted that she gained wealthy experience from the previous roles she held at the television and the radio adding that she was shaped and got enough confidence to face and overcome the challenges that come her way while executing the duties in her new role.
“I know every role has got its own challenges, as an experienced journalist who was in the field for quite some time, I belief that I can perform my duties easily without much problems.Also, when things are tough, I will not take unilateral decisions, butseek the advices of my colleagues and the management so as to move forward” said Ifrah.
“I am happy and ready to accomplish my duties effectually because my morale was enhanced. I belief equal opportunity in workplace boosts the morale and the productivity of the workforce”
Ali Abdikadir Ali, the director of Somali National News Agency described Ifrah as hardworking and focused journalist who was promoted by merit. The director underlined that the agency has equal opportunity policy in place which protects that rights of the employees (male and female) without discrimination.
“Our employees are equal, they have equal rights, when the management wants to promote an employee, they don’t look at who is male or female but who is competent, efficient and can take the department in question to the next level” the director said.
“Equal opportunity in workplace is not confined to promotions only, but guides and applies to the all the actions of the management while dealing with the employees” he added.
SONNA as a branch of a government-run news agency was part of the media across Somalia that signed the gender declaration driven by Somali Women Journalists Organization in collaboration with IMS-FOJO.
This promotion of the female journalist and the implementation of the other principles of the document by the agency came as a result of the continued advocacy and campaign by Somali women Journalists Organization to push forward gender equality in Somali media.
SWJO has had continuous meetings aimed to follow up the adoption of the declaration with the media directors. Similarly, the organization has conducted a number of training that build the professionalism, understanding, awareness and knowledge of Somali female journalists on gender parity.
The overall objective of the declaration was to encourage and challenge media organisations to develop gender sensitive approaches in their operations including and not limited to recruitment, promotion, remuneration, leave, elimination of all forms of violence and sexual harassment.
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