COVID-19; BeLA SCHOOLS MEDIA PRACTITIONERS IN MAINSTREAMING GENDER.

By Stephen Ojang with input from Rose Obah.

Over 40 media practitioners in the North-West Region amongst whom Local Language Broadcasters, as well as TV news reporters, have been schooled on the need to amplify the voices of women, by making known their activities, during this period of COVID-19. This was during a one day workshop organized by the Beacon Light Association. The workshop held at Mondial Hotel in Bamenda Wednesday May 13, 2020.

During the said workshop, one of the facilitators, Mrs. Obah Rose Akah, drilled Journalists and Local language broadcasters from different media sectors in the North-West Region on how to Mainstream gender in reporting on Covid19 pandemic.

The Media has the power to amplify the voices of women, portray their active roles in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, support their participation in public debate, challenge gender stereotypes and hold decision-makers accountable for women rights. Dixit Rose Obah.

Following the current global crisis caused by the Corona virus, the media is encouraged to make it more of a priority to provide a diverse, balanced and gender sensitive coverage.

Gender sensitive news coverage should never become a side issue– but during a crisis, it is paramount to make it a priority. Otherwise the media risks contributing in deepening the crisis and of reversing equality gains for women all over the world.

The pandemic presents new coverage dilemmas with journalists and editors having to keep up with rapid developments, while at the same time minding challenges of protecting staff from being infected and adhering to societal mitigation to slow down the spread of the virus.

It is important that the media provides a broader picture and not only look at the statistics of the infection and its death rates. Without an inclusive gender perspective in the policy responses to COVID-19, there is risk that women and marginalized groups are left out, stereotyped and overheard in decision-making processes become a huge problem.

"The Media can and should play a part in making these voices heard". Rose Obah.

The CEO of BeLA, Mrs. Eleen Ndze Beacon, persuaded journalists to see reasons why they have to mainstream gender in their COVID-19 reporting.

"women are suffering a huge impact of Covid-19. While the schools are shutdown, women are more focused at home caring for the children, they are also frontline health workers and are at risk, in the economic sector, most women and girls are into buisness, with their level of sanitation posing a worry".

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