A WORKSHOP was told yesterday to pay attention to how the media reports on gender issues.
Representatives from the media, women’s groups and other stakeholders are attending the four-day Media, Gender and Election BRIDGE Training.
“Media is very powerful and has great influence over the public views issues and actions they take, especially at this time in the run up elections,” says Val Stanley of UNIFEM.
Ms Stanley said the workshop should enable the media to report their articles with sensitivity to gender and women and to help them understand how to assist the election process through the way they approach gender issues.
She said participants will be provided with many advocacy tools to promote awareness of gender issues within the media and how to approach the media so they better assist women candidates.
“The aim of this workshop is to develop stronger links between women stakeholders and the media,” she said.
Ms Stanley said the focus of the workshop is the participation of women in governance and to help ensure that good and effective leaders are elected in the upcoming election and to assist women who are contesting the election.
She said the workshop will focus more on better understanding of right and obligations of voters and how to develop and implement communication and advocacy plans.
“One of the expected outcomes of the workshop is to develop a National Communication Plan to use in the lead up to, during and following the election,” she said.
However the four days workshop is funded under the UNIFEM through the AusAID as a component of the Building Resources In Democracy Good Governance and Election (BRIDGE) program.
It is part of a range of strategically planned activities taking place at this time aimed at increasing political participation of women and their role as active citizens and leaders in Solomon Islands.
The workshop is facilitated by National Council of Women, Women Development Division, and the UNIFEM Gender Equality in Political Governance program.
By GINA MAKA’A
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