Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare have tasked members of the Network of Gender Journalists for Women and Cultural Advancement (NGJWCA) to take active role in national development, particularly issues on FGM/C and other harmful practices in the country.
Bulli Dibba made the statement during the official closing of a three-day training for the members of the Network. The training was meant to equip members on ethical reporting, health implication of FGM/, women and child rights.
“I was excited when I heard about this training, and I think partnership will start now. I want all of us to accept each other as partners and take this to another level, and from now on, I am giving you an open invitation to visit the ministry to see what programme we can develop together.”
Mr. Dibba said in the 21st century, media is key when it comes to communication, calling on the Network members to maintain a close collaboration with the ministry. “There is not a single day that we don’t talk about the affairs of children, the affairs of women and people with disability. Our ministry is tasked to address the issues of those people and to protect their rights,” he said.
He told the Network members that as journalists, they are going to be attending international forums where issues will be discussed and we want you to be at the same level with your counterparts and colleagues in other parts of the world.”
Neneh Touray, assistant director of Information and Communication at the Women’s Bureau said the intensive training on ethical reporting, FGM/C and child marriage was an important one.
“I know from here, you would be able to implement and engage on reporting some of the issues that are discussed here including the action plan that would be implemented from now against December. Your reporting would not only stop at FGM/C and child marriage but all issues affecting the lives of women and girls.”
Mariama Marong, assistant secretary general of the Network of Gender Journalists said they have learned a lot from the training and they hope to have more of its kind in future.
