Human Rights, Gender : Journalists Poised To Up Reporting During Crisis

Dingana Raymond

Elizabeth Banye Tabi, Ticha Milanis and Nkengafack Eucharia are all journalists reporting on the conflict romancing the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

After attending a three-day-workshop on Factoring Gender and Human Rights in Conflict Reporting in the North West and South West Regions organised by the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalist (CAMASEJ) in collaboration with the Canadian Fund for Local Innitiative(CFLI), they say they can now do better and are bent on doing more reports in the areas of Human Rights and Gender particularly in conflict zones.

Family Picture of Participants At The Workshop In Kribi

According to Elizabeth Banye Tabi, a journalist with the Guardian Post newspaper in Douala, the workshop triggered that zeal in her to be able to advocate for the rights

of the volnurable more than before,

Elizabeth Banye Tabi

"I love reporting on issue that have
to do with Gender and Human Rights because these are the things that catch my eyes. What i have gained here today especially on how to pitch a good story will help me to structure my story in a way that we can advocate more for the rights of the volnurable ones in the society," Banyi said.

Ticha Milanis, reporter with the Median newspaper in Limbe is another journalist who have taken opon herself to make sure Human Rights violations donot go unreported,

"I can say i have not been doing enough as a Human Rights defender" Melanis said.

She added that,

" The knowledge i gained from the resource persons and the experiences shared by fellow participants have instill that spirit in me to step up my game for a positive society through my work as a journalist."

As indicated by Nkengafack Eucharia,it is the role of journalists to ensure that they act as the voice of the voiceless,

"The work we have been doing is not enough, this workshop was an oppening for us to go back to the drawing board and be the watchdog of the society that we are supposed to be and promote good values in the society and advocacate for women's rights and those of other vulnerable groups,"she said.

Nkengafack Eucharia Handling Her Task At The Workshop

She added that after attending the workshop she hope to be a better human rights defender among others.

Three resource persons answered present and drilled journalists on their role as Human Rights defenders, understanding Gender; Gender Sensitive Reporting in times of conflict and how to pitch a good story.

On how journalists can be Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Lawyer, Bar. Vitalis Legenju invited them to develop credibility through accurate reporting, establish proffessional practices for reporting on Human Rights Violations among others.

Human Rights Lawyer, Bar. Vitalis Legenju

On his part, Aminde Blaise Atabong worked with the participants on how to pitch a good story.

Aminde Blaise Atabong Drilling Journalists On Pitch Writing

Dr. Violet Fokum, a Gender expert drilled them on Gender Sensitive Reporting in times of crisis.

She pointed out that special attention be given to women and girls due to their greater vulnerabilities to Gender Based Violence (GBV), their lack of safe and equitable access to humanitarian assistance, the targeted violence they experience among others.

Dr. Violet Fokum, Gender Expert At The Workshop

While officially opening the workshop, the Regional Delegate for Communication for the South, Beko'o B'Evina Marguerite Solange expressed her unflinching support to all female journalists working in the to restive regions of the country.

"It is very challenging for them,Many have lost their jobs because media bosses think they are not resilient in times of conflict, which is not true. They are kept aside in favour of the men because they think they cannot sustain the sound of the gun..," she said.

South Regional Delegate for Communication Beko'o B'Evina Marguerite Solange

She further explained that female journalists also have a say as far as their profession is concerned.

"They should accommodate both male and female journalist, so that female journalists can also have something to earn a living... Keeping them aside is not the way to go," she advised.

On the other hand, Jude Viban who is National President of CAMASEJ encouraged the journalists to gun for beautiful ideas and not to forget that:

" a good story idea poorly treated will open the doors of jail for you."

CAMASEJ National President, Viban Jude

Taking the journalists to Kribi Viban said was a therapy given that many of them operate under very different conditions in the crisis hit zones.

Meanwhile, Ajumane Francis, Moderator of the workshop, encouraged more women to embrace Print Journalism.

Ajumane Francis

As observed during the workshop, many female journalists keep their distance away from print journalism for the audio- visual because they yearn for stardom.

Participants are now expected to implement all what the grabbed at the workshop without any delay for a better society.

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