By Leila Bbale and Promise Twinamukye in Hoima
Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) held a two – day workshop on Gender Equality and Safety training workshop for 25 female journalists in Hoima Western region from December 3 – 4, 2024. Participants were drawn from Print (newspapers, magazines), Electronic media (radio and television) plus online media.
The trainers were UJU President , also Vice Chairperson National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Women Committee Ms Lucy Anyango Ekadu and UJU Youth Committee Secretary also News Reporter at Daily Monitor newspaper Ms Promise Twinamukye. Hoima Workers Councillor Ms Jackie Bachwa officially opened the workshop and expressed appreciation to Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) and the Norwegian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the program that aims at empowering female journalists in Hoima city.
Ms Bachwa said female journalists should always be be open as they fight for their rights, but hastened to add that marginalization of women is on the increase and concerted efforts must be put together curb the vice.. She said: “Female journalists should be bold enough and expose all forms of discrimination against women, workplace violence and sexual harassment.,” UJU President Lucy Anyango Ekadu conveyed message of solidary from Norwegian Union of Journalists (NUJ). She said the workshop is part of a series of trainings that have over the last six years been undertaken by UJU with support from the Norwegian Union of Journalists. She told participants that the training aims at sensitizing female journalists on breaking the silence on gender and safety issues that female journalists face day to day.
Ms Lucy stressed need for female journalists to be sensitized on their rights and empowered to face challenges boldly, assertively in bid to be self – reliant .She said:“ We must break the barriers, eliminate stereotyping in our society that relegates women to the kitchen and other household duties,and work for a fundamental change.Hoima – based Spice FM radio Station Manager Ms Leila Bbale called on female journalists to be prepared to not only expose perpertrators of sexual harassment at workplaces, but also give evidence and ensure the culprits are apprehended and prosecuted in courts of law.She said :” The only way we can end sexual harassment at workplaces is for female journalists to report cases and expose men who sexually harass them”.. Participants gave testimonies accusing senior Editors, Media Owners, politicians and business enterprenuers for sexually harassing them.
Journalists reported a number of cases in which supervisors extend some favours to female journalists including promotions, special assignments and other fringe benefits with an aim of inducing and exchanging them with sex.The journalists reported that discrimination and marginalization of female journalists is on the rise as more lucrative jobs are reserved for the male folk. Several disgruntled female journalists have been forced into other odd jobs while others have gotten married early as a way of survival. Female journalists castigated stereotyping atttude by society especially the men who think the women should be relegated to the kitchen and other household jobs while denying them chance to expolit their professional careers and talents.
“ We strongly believe that when given chance to prove ourselves we can do what men have done and even better, “ said Ms Victorial Kakooza, a woman activist at National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Women committee.Particpants agreed to join a UJU – Hoima Female whatsapp group through which to share information among themselves and to expose pepertrators of exploitation, discrimination and sexual harassment.at mainly workplaces.Female journalists in Hoima and environs will work with Uganda Journalists Union on combating gender inequality and sexual harassment. Uganda Journalists Union plans to conduct similar training in Soroti (North Eastern Uganda) and Fortportal (SEXUAWestern Uganda region)..ends
