By Dorothy Frances Ward / Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA
Kumasi, Dec. 6. GNA - Madam Heather-Ann Cameron, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, has called on journalists and media practitioners to use their medium to educate and create the needed awareness on issues affecting women and the girl-child in society.
She said journalists have the responsibility through their reportage to educate the public on the harmful socio-cultural practices and other gender-based issues such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation, sexual abuse as well as emotional trauma that affected the wellbeing, growth and development of women and girls.
Madam Cameron made the call in a speech read on her behalf at a day’s workshop on Ethical Gender Reporting, for some selected media practitioners and journalists in Kumasi.
The workshop which was organized by the Centre of Journalism and Ethics, with support from the Canadian High Commission, was aimed at equipping journalists with the requisite skills on ethical reporting, particularly on gender-based issues.
It was also to help them acquire new ideas and use their voices and pens to end harmful practices and contribute in making the country, a better place for boys, girls and women.
Madam Cameron said unequal treatment was one of the major factors preventing women and girls from realizing their full potentials to contribute positively to nation building.
“Women and girls are being deprived from going to school and they remain at home and help in house-hold chores whiles their brothers can continue their education”, she said.
Madam Cameron urged the media to have a constructive influence on gender-based issues and report violence against women and girls, especially in homes.
Mr Mohammed Adam, a Veteran Journalist and a Facilitator for the workshop, who took the journalists through Ethical Gender Reporting urged them to write issues on women and girls with accuracy, fairness, integrity and sensitivity.
Women must not be trivialized and objectified and must not be seen as mere appendages for their husbands.
Mr Adam also urged managers of media houses to engage more women experts and commentators on their programmes, while employing more women to work in the news rooms.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS