Somali Women Journalist Rights Association (SOWJRA) has released a statement on the suffering of Somalia women journalist during a debate held on 30th October 2018 at Mogadishu, Somalia. The debate was around on how to increase the professional skills of female journalists who operate in the local media. The event brought together more than 20 female journalists in Mogadishu. The debate was facilitated by experts in journalism, attended leaders of independent Media organizations, Journalists, Lawyers and Civil Society Members. During the event, the chairperson of SOWJRA Leila Ad’ed Osman welcomed the participants and talked about SOWJRA’s efforts to increase the advocacy level of women journalists as well as contribute to the prevention of violations against women journalist. Female Journalists from local media who participated in the debate have reported that there were many barriers for women’s journalism in the Somali media industry, commonly caused by the unequal opportunities of employment, skill trainings and this was due to exclusiveness in decision making process at their respective media institutions. Female Journalists have also added that in this technology era women journalists need to compete with the new modern technologies and to establish an opportunity for those who are interested in the media. The events main purpose was to highlight major challenges of female journalist in the media sector and to bring solutions to their work related problems. Leila Ad’ed Osman, Chairlady of SOWJRA spoke about the importance and the key role women journalist play in the media industry in Somalia. She also requested the federal government to support and bring a lasting solutions to the major challenges that women journalist face as part of their career in the media. Women’s journalists who attended the debate produced a joint press release after the meeting on the nature of the torture and the challenges they faced during their work, the following action points were taken into account: 1. To stop gender based discrimination on the job and other sexual exploitation of young girls; women journalists in the media are sometimes banned from performing certain work, and only assigned in entertainment programs. 2. To keep an eye on women’s conditions when seeking jobs because they meet a lot of challenges, the need to find a job, with a vast majority of women who are professionally free and willing to join the media. 3. To improve equal job/training opportunities in the media environment for boys and girls and increase professional development of the female journalist in Somalia.
4. To enhance networks and partnership, this is done through co-ordinate consultative forums/meetings amongst and between women journalist in the country. Actually, this will help them have one voice and jointly fight for their rights
5. To promote women journalist’s participation in decision making. The Somali media environment does not make any job promotion for female journalist Finally, the Somali Women Journalist Rights Association (SOWJRA) welcomes the local, national and international organizations who working on women related issue to support and take part for the empowerment of the female journalists in Somalia Thank you Leila Ad’ed OsmanSomali Women Journalist Rights Association (SOWJRA)ChairpersonEmail: chairlady@sowjra.org info@sowjra.org
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