A new study, that will be distributed to all media houses in Somalia, highlights opportunities and gaps in laws and regulations on gender equality in the media and suggests areas of development. The study was presented and launched in front of media directors and practictioners, civil society members and government officials in Mogadishu earlier this week.
The Gender Equality and Media Regulation Study – a review of how gender equality in media is addressed in law, policies, and self-regulatory frameworks, highlights that significant change is visible across Somali media houses compared to a few years ago. However, further development is needed, such as reviewing media and gender laws and raising further awareness regarding working conditions for female journalists and women’s voices in media.
The study was developed within the media programme that is being implemented jointly by Fojo Media Institute and International Media Support (IMS) in Somalia. A Somali-translated version of the study will be distributed to all media houses nationwide.
The launch, held on 13 June, was organised by the Somali Women Journalist Organization (SWJO) in Mogadishu, Somalia, to present the newly published study. Among the attendees were media directors and practitioners, civil society members, and government officials.
“As a committee, we pledge to stand with women in media to have a seat at the table in decision making and leadership roles in Somali media,” said the Deputy Chair of the Media and Telecommunication Committee of the Somali Parliament, MP Mohamed Hassan Mohamed (Murjaan), who held the keynote speech which opened the event.