By Fatou Dahaba
The Women Journalists Association of The Gambia (WoJAG) has wrapped up a two-day capacity-building workshop for 25 female journalists, focusing on gender-sensitive reporting and ethical journalism related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Held at the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia, the training brought together participants from various media outlets across the country to sharpen their skills in addressing critical issues such as SGBV and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with sensitivity and responsibility.
The initiative, part of the Empower Her Voice Project targeting mid-career journalists, aimed to equip women in media with the tools to craft compelling, ethical stories that amplify women’s voices and experiences. WoJAG seized the opportunity to renew its call for female journalists to take the lead in reporting on issues affecting women, emphasizing that these stories are best told by those who understand them most intimately.
Annette Camara, WoJAG President, underscored the training’s significance in building the capacity of female reporters to deliver impactful narratives on SGBV. “Gender-sensitive reporting is integral to our goal of improving gender equity and creating a more inclusive media environment in The Gambia,” she said. Camara also reflected on a recent tour of media houses, where she observed persistent inequalities—some female presenters and reporters working for over four years without contracts or formal staffing.
“Why are we not using our pens and microphones to report on these issues affecting us directly?” Camara challenged the participants. “If we’re not prepared to run these stories, I’m not sure we’ll achieve our advocacy goals.” She urged the journalists to confront both their own newsroom challenges and broader societal issues to drive change for women in leadership.
Sheriff Saidykhan, Vice President of the Gambia Press Union, hailed the training as timely and essential. He noted that the Cherno Jallow Charter for Ethics provides journalists with guidelines to address gender-related issues and expose all forms of gender-based violence. “This training empowers women journalists with the right knowledge to amplify the voices of SGBV survivors,” Saidykhan said.
Timed to align with International Women’s Day celebrations, the workshop encouraged participants to produce future stories and in-depth reports on women’s issues, particularly SGBV. The initiative reflects WoJAG’s broader mission to foster a diverse, impactful media landscape that prioritizes the representation of women and girls.
With strengthened storytelling skills and a renewed sense of purpose, these 25 journalists are poised to lead the charge in reshaping how women’s stories are told in The Gambia.
