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CFI, MFWA hold gender equality seminar in Accra
Participants at the seminar
Canal France International (CFI) Media Development, a French media development agency has organised a day’s seminar on gender equality in the media in Accra.
The seminar which was jointly implemented with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) was held under the theme “Equal voices: promoting gender equality in the media in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.”
The seminar was aimed at combating gender inequalities and stereotypes in the media of the two countries and encouraging managers of media outlets to promote better representation of women in both their managerial practices and editorial policies.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of GDA Media Limited, Oheneyere Gifty Anti said until women in the media dare to make their voices heard, they will remain at the same spot.
She urged female journalists to become intentional and deliberate in breaking the stereotype asking them to constantly add value to themselves.
She said female journalists at the top also need to be intentional about “pulling’ the younger ones or their colleagues along with them.
Oheneyere Gifty Anti challenged female journalists to bring change and development to their communities and the nation through their profession.
The Executive Director of MFWA Sulemana Braimah said women were under represented in all sectors of the economy and that steps had been undertaken by various organisations to tackle the issue.
He said the media had a vital role to play in addressing the issue because of its agenda setting power and also serve as a force to champion women’s voices adding that it had the capacity to inspire both men and women to address the injustices meted out to women.
He called on the media to integrate gender mainstreaming, and women empowerment as an important aspect in the newsrooms as well as empower women in the media to lead the agenda in order to have the support of the men as well.
The Deputy Director-General CFI Media, France, Alan Dreanic said his outfit had adopted a five-year strategy to bring balance into the media landscape and promote gender equity.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu