By Clement Wangira.
Workers Members of Parliament – elect Dr. Abdulhu Byakatonda has raised alarm over the increased reports of violation on rights of female journalists at work places
Millions of workers have no social protection and engage in survival activities.
Salary inequality between male employees and their female counterparts is increasing, this calls for trade Unions to continue spearheading the fight against poverty and to promote social justice in the country.
Dr. Abdulhu Byakatonda attributes the increased reports on discrimination,violence and violation of female journalists’ rights to inadequate laws and lack of workplace policies on gender violation.
He said the attacks on female journalists by sources and workmates calls for immediate enactment and harmonization of laws that ensure safety and improved general welfare of journalists.
Dr. Abdulhu Byakatonda was opening a Gender Equity and Safety training for female journalists at Hilltop View hotel in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. .
He urged journalists to use Uganda Journalist Union as their representative voice to demand for their rights and improved living and working conditions.
“It’s only trade Unionism that will liberate workers from poverty, protect and advance their social economic interest,” he said.
The legislator urged Media outlets to improve on response to reports on harassment of female journalist by ensuring they put in place proper mechanisms to report and deal the offenders to violation of workers right.
“Employers should fully respect and promote workers’ fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining as a means of ensuring a fair distribution of economic growth and incomes.Let the media houses sort out their messes before we come for them”, he warned.
The female reporters said they experience stigma coupled with lack of faith in the authorities to act upon their complaints on gender violence.
We have had challenges in social protection where women are considered secondary and employers deliberately fail to consider promoting them into leadership. Women are also denied chance on decision making positions regardless of their skills. professional expertise and capability compared to their male counterparts, the female reporters charged
Mbale City Public Relations Officer Mr James Kutosi noted that media houses in Mbale subject workers especially the female journalists to poor and harsh working conditions.
He advised media practitioners to join Uganda Journalists Union so that they form one common voice to advocate for the protection and promotion of their rights.
The Gender Equity and Safety trainers at Uganda Journalists Union Ms Lucy Anyango Ekadu and Ms Nancy Obita Anek said the training is to empower female journalists become self-advocates in the fight against sexual harassment and social inequality entrenched within the media sector and societies.
“Gender based violence is not an easy issue to tackle and those experiencing gender-based violence deserve a strong commitment to change’ .Lucy Ekadu said.
Ms Nancy Obita observed that Uganda Journalists Union has an important role to play in advocating for bridging gender based gaps in legislation.
“The Union effort shall lead to gains in improved overall performance, productivity and retention at workplaces,” she said.
She advised the female reporters to open up and use their media platforms to advocate for their rights
‘Use your various media platforms to expose those violating your rights’’. She said.
Uganda Journalists Union General Secretary Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire called on employers to promote work place gender friendly polices by establishing workplace reporting mechanism on violation and harassment of workers.
He said the Union is conducting a series of trainings on mitigation of sexual harassment, exploitation and stigmatization of women workers
“Employers are required to put in place workplace policies that address training on violence, occupational safety and Health and prevention measures,” he said.
The two – day workshop was organized by Uganda Journalist Union in conjunction with the Oslo – based Norwegian Union of Journalists with support from Workers Member of Parliament Hon Abdulhu Byakatonda. The training was aimed at empowering female journalists to fight for their rights■
