Zam Zam Mohamed Ali talks passionately about the role of Somali women journalists in the media sector.
The young female journalist had the passion of joining the media as early 12 years when she was in primary through listening to reports by journalists.
The 25-year-old female journalist graduated from Himilo University in Mogadishu where she studied public administration.
She joined the media in 2015 and worked with several media stations as reporter and producer. Ali now works with Radio Mustaqbal in Mogadishu as head of Digital media where she was promoted recently. She also doubles up as a producer of a program that is aired both at the radio and the digital platforms.
“I always wanted to be part of the change in the society and found that the only way of making change is to join the media” Says Zam Zam.
Ali highlights that appointing female journalists to the top positions in media will empower and allow them to be part of decision-making processes in their workplace.
“Appointing women journalists to decision-making positions provides them access to understand and claim their rights” Ali highlights.
“I am happy that the management promoted me as the head of digital media, I believe it is due to my commitment and the confidence I have in my work” she adds, “The female journalists can be in charge and manage all departments if only they believe in themselves and above all they are given opportunities to proof themselves”
Stereotypes
Zam Zam strongly believes that the society ignores the role of women in media and regard them as ones who departed the socials norms.
“The society which is male dominated describe female journalists as inappropriate and misfits. This characterization still continues and has affected the morale of many women journalists who are willing to join media and make changes” Zam Zam adds, “Different from their perspectives, women are the backbone of the community and have a better understanding of their people. The Female journalists are in a better position to come up with good and educating programmes”
The young journalist believes that the achievements and the performance of the female journalists depends on their self-confidence. She adds that having confidence on themselves and getting good support from their respective media stations, they can overcome any obstacle that comes their way.
Training
Training develops and enables women journalists gain new skills. Somali Women Journalists Organization o(SWJO) offered women journalists training opportunities that build their skills and enable them boost their professional journalism.
Ali together with other female journalists attended a training on digital media and story-telling conducted by SWJO in collaboration with US Embassy in Mogadishu late 2019.
“I appreciate the efforts and the role of SWJO of empowering female journalists through much needed trainings so as to enable them build their skills and compete with their male counterparts in delivering services to the public” she underlined.
While smiling, Ali highlighted that she can now incorporate all the newfound knowledge into her media careers and embark on the empowerment of female journalists.
“Before taking this short training, I had no experience on how to edit videos, I use to depend on other people especially male journalists edit the stuff for me- that has had an effect on my work. It sometimes led to delay which had bad consequences on my work. Now I am capable of working independently without being reliant on someone else”
“During the training, we were taught how take videos, capture photos and do editing of the work we have covered, thanks to God, although I am not perfect 100%, I can do my work independently and entirely” she adds “We requests for more similar trainings as this will empower and build the confidence of the journalists”
“The training proofed my ability, apart from supervising my team, I can be on standby and act as a replacement in case of emergency when a camera operator and video editor is absent or off duty”
Equal Rights
Somali Women Journalists Organization conducted a mapping on the working conditions of female journalists in Somali media.
The aim of the mapping exercise was to improve the working conditions of women journalists in Somali media through addressing key issues such as maternity leave, promotion, harassment, equal pay and career progress opportunities.
The findings of the mapping documented huge inequalities between men and women working in Somali media sector and became a foundation for addressing the challenges faced by women in media.
“Female journalists are entitled to equal rights with their male counterparts and this can be reached through enactment and implementation of media bill” says Ali.
In December 2018, many media houses across Somalia signed Gender Respect Declaration spearhead by SWJO which campaigned for the need to respect the rights of women in media.
Promotion
The director of Mustaqbal radio, Ahmed Isse Gutale acclaimed the role of female journalists in media.
Gutale highlighted that his media station is committed to create a conducive working environment where all journalists have equal rights.
“Our strategy is to create a favorable workplace where women and men journalists enjoy the same professional opportunities, share equal pay, fair promotion and feel equally represented” he said.
“Our decision of promoting Zam Zam Ali as the head of digital media was based on merit after we were persuaded by her hard work and commitment”
The director urged the female journalists to break the barriers that restricts them from performing well and compete with their male counterparts.
“There is no difference between a male and female journalist, everyone has a responsibility to execute and the responsibility dictates work. They [the employees] are evaluated and the promotions depends on the performance of the staff without discrimination” says Gutale.
“If the women journalists are convinced that there are some tasks that they cannot do, then their complains of inequality at the media stations will continue. We would like them to be part of every routine in their station and devote time to do everything a male journalist can do”
“We ensure that women have the self-confidence and skills they need to move up the job ladder is part and parcel of creating gender equality in the media stations” hints the director.
Despite notable developments, women in the media still face structural obstacles and discriminatory practices that exclude and prevent them from access equal rights with their male counterparts in the media sector.
Leave a Reply