Women in Broadcasting Network Launched to Foster Media Equality
By Eunice Hilda A. Mensah / Eugenia Otenwaa
Accra, March 14, GNA – The Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB) has officially been launched to mark a major milestone in the quest for gender equity within Ghana’s media industry.
Launched in Accra on Friday, the NOWIB is a professional body aimed at linking, strengthening, and motivating women within the broadcast sector via guidance, education, promotion of rights, and building connections.
The President of NOWIB, Maame Biama Kwafo, stated that the organization has transcended conventional roles by establishing a robust platform. This environment empowers women within broadcasting not only to advance their careers but also to receive comprehensive support necessary for personal development.
It presented an all-encompassing plan to reshape Ghana’s media environment, aiming to make women’s contributions pivotal in shaping national conversations, ensuring that female viewpoints influenced policymaking, and establishing gender parity in leadership as standard practice instead of rarity.
She mentioned that the NOWIB initiative acknowledged the various obstacles women encountered in the broadcasting sector, recognizing these issues extended beyond just their professional setting.
Part of its goals, the Network plans to initiate mentorship programs covering technical skill enhancement, life coaching, mental health support, and strategies for achieving work-life balance.
NOWIB’s aspirations went further than just its members, aiming to drive wider societal transformation by tackling stereotypes and highlighting women's achievements in every field.
Madame Kwafo advocated for joint ventures with media organizations, regulatory agencies, global institutions, and business enterprises to meet their established goals.
"Through investments in female broadcasters, we promote ethical journalism. By enhancing our capabilities to meet international standards, we fortify Ghana's media environment," she stressed.
The network portrayed its members as upcoming leaders in Ghana’s media sector, tasked with holding those in power accountable, maintaining the most rigorous journalistic ethics, and ensuring that Ghana’s progress aligns with the desires and necessities of its people.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, who serves as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, expressed the government's backing for the Network, referring to it as "a potent agent for transformation within Ghana's media environment."
She placed the creation of NOWIB within the broader context of global efforts towards gender equality, highlighting that three decades following the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, advancements toward achieving gender balance have been sluggish, especially in top roles within media organizations.
She highlighted that broadcasting organizations are more than just distributors of information; they play a crucial role as influencers of public opinion and cultural standards.
The narratives they opt to share, and who is permitted to share them, significantly shape societal perceptions of gender roles and expectations.
Dr. Lartey pointed out advancements and ongoing issues within the media industry, noting that although an increasing number of women have joined newsrooms and production studios, they still encounter significant gender-based harassment.
"The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has pledged to work alongside media organizations to create and enforce policies that address the requirements of female broadcasters. This collaboration aims particularly at fighting violence against women in journalism through robust measures and accountable frameworks," she stated.
Mrs. Fatimatu Abubakar, who previously served as the Minister of Information, highlighted particular difficulties encountered by women in African media, referencing various studies and statistical reports.
She pointed out that women occupy merely four percent of executive, director, and chief editor roles in African media organizations," referring to the 2020 report from African Women in Media.
She mentioned that women constituted just 30 percent of journalists in African newsrooms based on the 2019 findings from the International Women’s Media Foundation, and they continue to encounter stereotypes and biases as documented by UNESCO in the same year.
In spite of the difficulties, Mrs. Abubakar pointed out several developing prospects. These include the expansion of digital media enabling new avenues for women to generate and disseminate material, an upsurge in attention towards issues related to female empowerment, as well as broadening chances for networking and mentorship.
"As we gather to create an alliance aimed at bolstering our position to drive forward our development and well-being in the media sector, I think it’s wise to investigate and take advantage of the numerous grants and supports available for women in this field," she said additionally.
GNA
ABD
