29 Jun 2014

The media remains a critical stakeholder in the implementation of policies and programmes promoting gender equality.

Officially opening a two-day workshop for media personalities on gender equality, gender affairs acting director, Ms Thapelo Phuthego said government supported the capacity building of all key players including knowledge on gender equality.

Ms Phuthego applauded Gender Links for the efforts it has undertaken by conducting capacity building training in newsrooms in an effort to sensitise media personalities on the importance of ensuring that all voices count when it comes to reporting.

“This creates a knowledge base that could go a long way in benefiting the citizens of this country,” she said. Ms Phuthego called on media houses to ensure that they stick to the principle of informed and balanced reporting.

She said it was important for media personalities to fully understand each area they report on in order to enable an informed and reliable report environment.

Ms Phuthego said media efforts in reporting on gender issues was highly recognised and commended, adding that the public has demonstrated increased knowledge of the issues.

“Your reports have immensely contributed to the start of public debates on gender based violence and other key issues relating to gender inequity and equality,” she said.

She encouraged all not to be weary in the work they were doing, and to keep in mind that this does not only benefit the media but the nation at large.

She advised them not to be hampered by the challenges they were facing, but rather to be resilient in their work. “When gender equality prevails, the development process is affected hence poor economies,” she said.

The gender affairs acting director said women remain central to the development process and should be afforded equal opportunities as players in development.

Gender Links Botswana, outgoing country manager, Ms Keabonye Ntsabane said the workshop was of paramount importance as it sensitises the media on the need to report gender issues.

Ms Ntsabane said the workshop was meant to give media persons an understanding of reporting on gender issues and assist reporters to ensure that they report sensitively on issues of violence.

The two-day workshop which was organised by Gender Links Botswana and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), saw media personalities from different media houses being trained on the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) gender protocol, media monitoring as well as understanding the context of gender reporting.

Reporters also took out time to brainstorm stories that each media house could carry on gender issues and gender based violence. ENDS