Abantu for Development, a women centered NGO has underscored the need for aspiring journalists to familiarize themselves with gender-sensitive reporting from the onset of their career.

According to the group, the training of journalists must also focus more on raising awareness on gender issues because of its relevance in the society, especially in developing countries where women are often the driving change agents on the ground.

This call was made during a day’s workshop for female media practitioners held at the Yiri Lodge, Legon, Accra last week.

It was organised by Abantu for Development with support from the University of Bristol.

As a main component of the training, a historic film to challenge misrepresentation of women centered issues and gender activism in Ghana was screened for participants and learn and share their views.

The non-fictional film, titled “When Women Speak” directed by prominent film director, Ms Aseye Tamakloe featured powerful Ghanaian women including wife of the late former president of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former editor of the Daily Graphic, member, Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) Madam Ekua Ansah-Eshon, Executive Director Salt and Light Ministries, Ms Joyce Rosalind Aryee and Professor Dzodzi Tsikata, founding member, NETRIGHT.

The documentary challenges perceptions that Ghanaian women’s activism around existential and political issues was of more recent or originated from the western world.

It traces 16 women who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s and follows their experiences narrated in their own words, as Ghana passed through periods of military, single-party and multi-party rule.

Director, Abantu for Development, West Africa Region, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin said women’s contribution towards development could not be underrated, adding that all women must join forces “so that our voices can be heard in every part of the world.”

She also called on men to join the fight for gender equity.

She also revealed that “When Women Speak” was available online for free on https/whenwomenspeakfilm.com.

On her part, a representative of the University of Bristol, Professor Kate Skinner commended participants for their input to the workshop, which she described as mind opening and hoped that the film would change negative perceptions about women empowerment in Ghana and the world at large.

Meanwhile journalists who benefitted from the workshop expressed gratitude to organisers for the training and assured that they would focus more on gender sensitive issues in their various news coverages.

BY RAISSA SAMBOU