By Nasratu Kargbo
Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) have called on journalists and other stakeholders to make a conscious effort to promote women's growth in all spheres of life.
The institution made this call during an engagement on women’s participation in elections and media representation, in Freetown last week.
‘Gender biases in media coverage/ enhancing women’s participation’ was the theme of the panel discussion.
Editor of Politico Newspaper Mabinty M. Kamara, who was one of the panelists, said in her line of duty, she has noticed that most of the sources being attributed to stories are men.
She said most times she attends programmes, she will observe that the high table is occupied by men and that even when a woman is at the table, she would not contribute much to the discussion.
Kamara encouraged colleagues to meet such women and get their perspective about the subject to ensure their voices are heard.
Highlighting another bias, she stated that in the 2023 elections there was only one female presidential candidate who was hardly heard of.
Another panelist, Landiya Ade-Williams the Programme Manager of Campaign for Good Governance said violence and intimidation has greatly affected women’s participation in politics.
She said if violence is to be reduced, men and boys from different backgrounds should be engaged and sensitized on why women ought to be given the platform to practice politics without fear.
Mariama Kai Fornah CEO and Station Manager of Hands of Hope Radio Station said women are portrayed in a negative light, focusing on their shortcomings rather than their competence.
Fornah asked that female journalists profile female candidates through their programmes on radios and television and their newspaper front pages.
She said she has worked with women and that through SEND Foundation they were able to train and use the media to make them popular. “Some of these women are now councilors and members of parliament. If we have more women in politics, this country will change for the better” she said.
She called on her colleagues to start work for the next election, by ensuring that they give women all the support they need, so they could attract the attention of bigger parties under which they can run for political office.
Gender Analyst representing UNDP Kadiatu Bachalle Taylor said the journalist should create a relaxing atmosphere, noting that some women are frightened when they see camera, and sometimes prefer not to talk as a result of that.
Speaking on what the female journalist can do to empower women in public life, she mentioned the use of the gender scorecard to get data on the number of women that are in politics, public sector, those that have access to finance, and victims of violence amongst others.
Taylor said women vying for a space in politics or public life are mostly preoccupied by what people might be thinking about them and therefore called on the media to create the enabling environment for them to exercise what they do so desire.
She said many have said that political parties are paying lip service in empowering women, and suggested for proper monitoring and auditing to substantiate such claims.
At the end of the panel discussion the women present made commitments to fully empower other women through the media.
The discussion is held under a project titled “Reposition women focused CSOs for sustainable peace in Sierra Leone” with funding support from the United Nations Development Programme’s Peace Building Fund.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (10/07/23)
