Posted in: Yemen Observer
Written By: Raghda Gamal
Article Date: Feb 14, 2009
The Women’s Media Forum (WMF) recently held a workshop aimed at defending human rights, entitled “Journalists for Human Rights” (JHR), in cooperation with the MEPI. The workshop began on Saturday, February 7 and lasts until Monday, February 16.
The program will work over the course of the year with 30 journalists from eight Yemeni provinces, Sana’a, Aden, Taiz, Al-Hudaidah, Ibb, Hadramout, Ma’areb and Hajah. The program is being conducted to deal with the current situation of Yemeni women, who are consistently the subject of abuse, said Wedad al-Badawi the program’s executive manager. She added that the program tries to teach journalist how to increase community awareness about women’s issues and human rights. It also aims to create a female journalist lobby, to defend human rights in general, though with a particular focus on women.
One of the trainers is the lawyer Eshraq al-Maqtary, who discussed the importance of human rights issues for Yemeni society as a whole, not only journalists. Yet, she argued workshops such as this should focus on journalists, as they are the ones who can spotlight these issues in the community, and can push the government to change laws. Therefore, she thanked the MWF for organizing such a program, and media organizations for letting their journalists attend.
Lamees al-Sharafi, a trainee from Hajah broadcasting said she didn’t know a lot about human rights or gender issues, but now she will use her newly-acquired knowledge in her new programs on Hajah broadcasting to inform listeners about their rights.
Participating journalist in one of the activities. Saba television broadcaster Rasmia al-Moliky agreed with al-Sharafi, and added that what she liked most is that everyday, there was a new trainer, who was either active in Yemeni civil society, or a journalist with experience in human rights.
Gada al-Abssy, a journalist from the Al-Gomhoriah newspaper confirmed the importance of this workshop, especially in a society which doesn’t know anything about human or women’s rights. She also mentioned the beautiful atmosphere, which gave the participating journalists from eight Yemeni provinces the opportunity to get know each other, and become friends.
Ebtisam al-Badani, a trainee in protection legal issues, and long-time announcer for Ibb broadcasting also discussed the role of women working in Yemen’s media, and their strengthened role after this workshop.
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