Journalists Trained on Gender Responsive Reporting in Juba

Journalists at a 2-day training workshop on gender responsive reporting in Juba (UNESCO)

UNESCO, in partnership with the National Press Club South Sudan, conducted a capacity training workshop for twenty-five journalists and editors in Juba on 17 and 18 August 2021. The workshop aimed at enhancing skills of media professionals on gender reporting and safety for female of Journalists.

The level of participation and influence of women in the media has implications for media content. The presence of women on radio, television and in print media is more likely to provide positive role models for women and girls, to gain the confidence of women as sources and interviewees, and to attract a female audience.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Paulina Chiwangu, UN Women Deputy Country Representative, encouraged journalists to write stories that re-write stereotypes about women as well as use the media to challenge negative cultural practices and norms. Ms. Paulina urged for the media to represent women as innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and multi-faceted human beings that are contributing towards the development of their societies. She also urged the government to develop policies that promote gender equality, equal representation, and opportunity for the female media workers as well as promotion of safety of female journalists at work and in the field.  

For his part Mr. Julius Banda, UNESCO Country Representative to South Sudan urged journalists to use the media to call for the effective implementation of the Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union in the country.  He urged the journalists to use the power of the media to break the negative cultural barriers, attitudes and norms that exacerbate gender inequality in all the areas that our society and our lives cover.

Mr. Sapana Abuyi, Director-General for Information and Media compliance at the Media Authority lamented that female journalists face more challenges than their male counterparts. He stressed that as regulatory body, they are particularly focusing on ensuring the safety of female journalists both at the workplace and in the field.

The Guest of Honor, Hon. Yath Awan Yath, Undersecretary, Ministry of Information technology and Postal Services underscored the importance of ensuring gender response reporting in the context of South Sudan. He said the role of the media in the country is crucial especially in civic education. He called on journalists to use the media to bridge the gender gap and to promote unity, peace, and nation building.

The workshop is part of UNESCO efforts to strengthen capacities of media decision-makers, practitioners, and civil-society groups to support SDG 5 through improved gender and youth representation and portrayal in the media as well as build awareness and capacities of the journalists on gender sensitive reporting.