Canadian News

Journalists for Human Rights Launches Gender Impact Report

TORONTOMarch 8, 2018 /CNW/ – Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) celebrates International Women’s Day 2018 by launching our Gender Impact Report.

The Report documents JHR’s work towards gender equality, with a focus on programming in South SudanSyria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

JHR is Canada’s leading media development organization. Our gender strategy is simple – put women in the driver’s seat of development by mentoring women into leadership positions in media.

As media leaders, women quote other women as experts, not just victims; amplify the impact of women’s organizations and research through media coverage; and work together to put a spotlight on development issues – health, education, child welfare and the environment.  JHR understands that when women win, everyone wins.

Unfortunately, when it comes to media, women are radically underrepresented. Globally, the percentage of women reporting the news is 37% — a figure that hasn’t changed since 2010.  Women make up a mere 27% of management positions in media, worldwide.

Tackling these challenges head-on, JHR-trained women are taking up leadership positions in media, anchoring shows, prioritizing so-called “women’s” issues as everyone’s issues, and making a difference world-wide.

In Syria – JHR-trained station manager Reem Haleb used JHR’s business development training to diversify revenue streams. Haleb’s station, Nasaem Souria, is now producing a talk show on human rights and women’s rights issues with private sponsorship secured using techniques introduced by JHR.

In South Sudan – JHR-trained journalist Anna Nimiriano became Editor of the Juba Monitor, increasing the paper’s coverage of women’s issues by 25%. Her reporters covered the army’s use of rape as a weapon of war, leading to prosecution of the responsible soldiers by the government.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo – Television Numerica journalist Michou Zaina Kere Kereturned a JHR award into a platform as a pan-African expert voice on the relationship between early marriage and women’s earning power.

Said JHR’s Executive Director Rachel Pulfer: “JHR commends the Canadian government for launching a Feminist International Assistance Policy, ensuring that women’s voices and concerns are prioritized in all aspects of Canadian international assistance.”

“JHR programs will continue to complement this policy by training and placing women as media leaders in every country where we are working.”

  • Our thanks to CNW Group for sponsoring this announcement

Notes for Editors

About JHR:
Canada’s leading media development organization, JHR helps journalists build their capacity to report ethically and effectively on human rights and governance issues in their communities. Since 2002, JHR has trained over 14,500 journalists across 28 countries whose stories have reached over 50 million people worldwide. JHR currently operates projects in JordanSouth SudanSyriaSouth Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Canada.

SOURCE Journalists for Human Rights (JHR)

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