Namibia: Politicians, experts must make themselves available

Windhoek – Politicians and experts on gender-based violence should make themselves available and take part in discussions and debates to create awareness among the public.

 

 

This is one of the recommendations from media educators, media practitioners, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) following a workshop on gender in media education.

 

Organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in conjunction with Gender Links, a regional NGO based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the purpose of the workshop was to take part in the finalisation of a toolkit on gender in media training and a university module on gender-based violence.

 

UNESCO expects to increase awareness about the need to protect the rights of women and girls through improved training curricula for future journalists at institutions of higher learning.

 

“The effects of domestic violence on children should be incorporated with gender-based violence,” Communication Specialist at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Judith Matjila, suggested.

 

According to the delegates, more men are participating in gender issues especially on radio programmes compared to women. They encouraged journalists to make more use of women sources.

 

Colleen Lowe Morna of Gender Links said of all the strategies to bring about greater gender balance and sensitivity in the media, training remains one of the most important ways of opening the eyes of the media to the more professional reporting and story ideas that gender awareness brings.

 

According to her, as gender cuts across all areas of reporting, the more challenging form of training is in changing the mindsets of reporters so that they can recognise the gender dimensions of all stories.

 

“In this respect, gender is an important component of attitude training,” she said.

 

Participants also commended the appointment of the Media Ombudsman, Clement Daniels, through whom the public will air concerns about the role and activities of the media as well as facilitate the process through which media operate.

 

At the same occasion, UNESCO's Communication and Information Advisor at the Windhoek Office, Jaco du Toit, announced that the toolkit will be made available online and that case studies will be added to it. This will allow interaction with stakeholders.

 

This is a second workshop to be organised and is a follow-up to the gender in media education audit of last year that assessed the situation at the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia.

 

The first one, which took place here last November, analysed the findings of the audit and tried to provide for a strategy that ensures sustained gender mainstreaming in media education.

 

 

- February 17, 2010 by New Era

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Source: www.newera.com.na (accessed on 17.02.2010)