THE World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is calling for women journalists to be involved in decision-making processes in newsrooms to improve gender parity and increase coverage of issues to do with women.
BY STAFF REPORTER
In a statement, WAN-IFRA said it would soon embark on career coaching and mentoring of female journalists to encourage them to aspire for leadership roles in newsrooms.
“Studies show that a higher representation of women in decision-making positions in media leads not only to better coverage of women in the news, but also to better financial results,” WAN-IFRA said.
“Financially and editorially, solid media stand a bigger chance of being strong voices in their communities: Promoting good governance, transparency and fighting corruption.”
As a way to ensure more women assume leadership positions in the media, WAN-IFRA said they had launched a programme where 60 media professionals from 30 media companies from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe would participate in comprehensive skills development, career coaching, mentoring and networking in their national markets.
“This will help widen the opportunities for management and executive roles for women employees through education, training and awareness raising.”
