Use skills acquired from WIN training to improve media industry-PM Nabbanja tells journalists

Female journalists have been urged to use the skills acquired from the Women in News Leadership Accelerator Programme to shape a media industry they can be proud to be a part of.

The call was made by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in a speech read for her by Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu during the Skills Building and Networking Conference held at Protea Hotel on Friday.

During the conference attended by at least 60 Women in News Alumnae, the Prime Minister noted that the program has empowered women in Newsrooms and skilled them in management and building self-esteem. She applauded WAN-IFRA for the support rendered to the alumnae through training and reporting grants.

“I want to thank the partners for your work in Uganda, especially for your support through training and reporting grants. I also thank the Swedish International Development Agency and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for investing generously in up-skilling female journalists in Uganda,” said Rt. hon Nabbanja.

The Prime Minister compared the Newsroom leadership to that of the NRM government, noting that only 30% of Ugandan women head important departments in news organizations like it is in the government. “I would wish this percentage to increase to at least over 50% as one way of addressing gender imbalances and reported unhealthy work environment.”

She promised to continue a partnership between her office and the Women In News Uganda Chapter.

“I am passionate about women’s emancipation and would love a continued partnership between my office and the Uganda Women In News Chapter, as I have mentioned before to your Alumnae chairperson,” she said.

Rt. Hon Nabbanja also reminded participants that “If you want anything said, ask a man. But if you want anything done, ask a woman.” Which she says, shows the contribution and commitment of women to the development of the world in case they are given the opportunity to serve.

During the conference, the WIN 2020/21 Sexual Harassment Report was launched, indicating that in Uganda, 69.1% of women in media have experienced sexual harassment compared to 30.9% of men.

The research was carried out in 20 countries in regions where WIN operates and these are; Africa, the Arab Region, Southeast Asia and Russia as well as select countries in Central America.

According to Carolyne Nakazibwe the WIN Country Director (Uganda), 584 participants were involved and 32 in-depth interviews were carried out.

“The WIN 2020/21 findings were carried out using 584 participants in Uganda and we had 32 in-depth interviews which showed that women are the prime target of sexual harassment. An average of 56% of women experienced verbal harassment, 38% experienced physical harassment but at the same time, 24% of the respondents who were men reported experiencing verbal harassment and 15% of them reported experiencing physical harassment,” said Nakazibwe.

Supervisors were highly noted as being perpetrators and this indicated that 69% men supervisors and 29.1% of female supervisors had sexually harassed junior staff.

The conference also marked the launch of the WIN Uganda Chapter, under which women in Newsrooms are mentored and paired up with their peers to continue the journey.

The conference was also attended by the State Minister for ICT Hon Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, former Finance Minister Mrs Maria Kiwanuka, Mr Ola Hallengren the Deputy Swedish Ambassador to Uganda and Ms Jane Godia the Director for Africa, WIN.