By Kumba Leigh
The second executive of the Women Journalists’ Association of The Gambia has recently engaged thirty female media practitioners in a capacity building on women and children reporting.
The president of the association, Annette Camara, emphasised the significance of the training; stressing that journalists hardly focus on women and children reporting.
‘‘Sadly, the amount of violence against women and children is increasing on a daily basis but underreported, either in the media or to the relevant authorities. The purpose of the training is to produce highly skilled women journalists, who will contribute effectively and efficiently on women and children in The Gambia. Thus encourage women journalists to consider and divert their energy on reporting on women and children issues,’’ she asserted.
Isatou Keita, Vice President of The Gambia Press Union, in her remarks, she said female journalists should double up their efforts and work harder; be proactive in reporting women and children issues.
She said female journalists should ask themselves the question ‘’what direction do I need to take to effectively deliver my work responsibility?’’
Ms. Keita further stated that women journalists should have a diversify target goals in their various ways of reporting. She said they should be able to figure out better ways to report on women and children issues and not leave all with their male counterparts.
The Executive Director of Network Against Gender Based Violence, Fallu Sowe emphasized that there can never be a meaningful development without the involvement of women and children issues in to consideration, and are taken care of hence they are the future and most important resource.
Jebel Ceesay, Gambia Press Union Program Manager highlighted the project information, saying The Gambia Media Support Civil Society in Development (Games) is a capacity building project of GPU and its affiliates. ‘’This is to say that the GPU will only be vibrant if its associates are given the necessary support needed’’.
‘‘When we were designing the three year project, we decided to script capacity building activities for the six (6) affiliates of the GPU, which includes MAJaC, YJAG, National Agricultural Communicators, Community Radios, and WOJAG,’’ he said.