15 journalists selected from different media houses in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland state converged for three days training on gender equality. The training that opened today was organized by Somali Women Journalists Organization (SWJO), with support of IMS-FOJO.
The purpose of the training is to build the journalists’ understanding, awareness and knowledge on gender equality in terms of recruitment, salaries, promotions and access to capacity development opportunities.
The deputy minister of women, family affairs and human rights of Puntland state, Zahrakin Abdi Hersi officially opened the training.
Speaking to the journalists during the opening ceremony of the workshop, the deputy minister welcomed the training and described it as supportive and timely.
“This is an important training that will allow the journalists, especially women understand their rights. We advice the media leaders to give their employees equal opportunities where every individual is able to express himself/herself” said the minister.
The minister urged the journalists to take advantage of the workshop and pass whatever they learn from here to their colleagues in the field.
On his side, the chairman of Puntland journalists association, Mohamed Dahir Aynsane thanked Somali Women Journalists Organization for conducting the gender equality training adding that it will help address gender inequality in workplace.
Shukri Ahmed, a female journalist among the training participants said it is her first time to attend gender equality training. She expressed hope that they will gain valuable skills that will help the journalists advocate for equal rights.
The journalists attending the gender equality training were selected from the different media house: TV, radio and print media operating in Garowe.
During the first day of the workshop, the participants were taken through important topics including the responsibilities of female journalists in championing the gender equality in the workplace, identifying stereotypes against women appropriate responses and fair representation of women in the media among others.
The objective of that training is not to just support women journalists rise in positions of power and decision-making but teach them the value of women as journalists and how they should not be abused because of their gender.
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