As part of activities to close a one week sensitization campaign, 30 journalists and local language broadcasters selected from the North West region have been empowered by the Beacon of Light Association, BeLA, to mainstream gender in their Covid-19 reporting. This was during a one-day workshop organized in collaboration with the North West regional delegation of women's empowerment and the family and that of Public health.
Speaking during the workshop, Mr Tendongmo Franklin, Chief of service for the promotion and protection of the family and rights of the child at the North West regional delegation of women's empowerment and the family highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 on women. He revealed that about 70% of women are at the front line during this pandemic as they are found in the markets, hospitals, industries and many areas.
On his part, the coordinator of the Covid-19 centre in Bamenda, Mr Teteh Kingsley, drilled the journalists and local language broadcasters on "understanding Covid-19 and the response to the health crisis". He described the virus as very dangerous because it can survive on the surface for hours.
On how journalists should mainstream gender in their Covid-19 reporting, Mrs Rosaline A. Obah, called on the journalists and local language broadcasters to always project the women in their Covid-19 reports because women make up a greater percentage of the vulnerable population.
Earlier in her opening address, BeLA's CEO, Yekpu Eleen Ndze, outlined the reasons why journalists should mainstream gender in their Covid-19 reporting.
"Women are mostly care givers and with the advent of Covid-19, the load on them have increased. GBV has increased. The media is considered as the mouth piece of the society, that is why BeLA decided to bring these media practitioners together", Mme Yekpu Eleen said. She also outlined the mission and objectives of the Beacon of Light Association.
Before declaring open the workshop, the North West regional delegate of women's empowerment and the family, Mr Wirba Hassan, encouraged the journalists and local language broadcasters to always put on their "gender lenses" while reporting.
The Beacon of Light Association is a non-governmental organization that has been existing since 2018
By Fomusoh Rachel and Nji Nelson Chefor
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