SJS Equips a Dozen Female Journalists in Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo with Skills in Human Rights Reporting and Advocacy

SOMALIA, Mogadishu, November 19, 2024 – Women journalists from the Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo regions have been equipped with renewed skills, thanks to the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS). Through their efforts, 12 female journalists can now better tackle media reporting and champion human rights advocacy.

Abdirahman Yusuf Abdi, the Director General at SSC-Khaatumo’s Ministry of Information, greeted the SJS ensemble upon their Lasanod visit. He joined the initial session of the training and later handed out certificates to the eager participants. "In a grand twist of fortune, SJS has become the first group to grace our land with an intention to amplify the talents of our female journalists," Abdirahman remarked. "Our women require this encouragement and growth. Among the attendees were state media reporters who hadn’t previously tapped into such training opportunities focusing on human rights."

The appreciation for SJS’s outreach was echoed by Mukhtar Abdi Jama, head of the SSC-Khaatumo Journalists Organization. His gratitude was palpable as he acknowledged the syndicate’s bravery to step into regions like Sool, often passed over by other entities. "Thanks to the SJS brass for taking our plea seriously by coming through with this training," Mukhtar commented. "Journalists here grapple with numerous hurdles, security threats being just one. We’re keen to persist with SJS for advocating media freedom and bolstering the talents of journalists in our corner of the world."

On-the-ground experiences were shared in testimonials from participating journalists. Najma Aden, a spirited freelancer, journeyed an ardent 240 kilometers from Garowe to partake in the training. articulating her newfound prowess and skills with enthusiasm, Najma said, "For an out-of-pocket freelance journalist like me, finding resources is no small feat. I swooped in at the chance to apply for this training and was lucky to be chosen. Today, I leave with fresh video and audio editing tricks. The SJS trainers opened our eyes to nifty software tools, enabling me to curate stories and report on human rights issues within my neck of the woods."

Raho Mohamed Abdi was another participant who crossed from Buuhoodle and underlined the significance of spotlighting underserved narratives. Her takeaway was, "Learning to dive deep and unravel human rights dilemmas affecting vulnerable communities is vital. These stories rarely see the light of day in mainstream channels. I’m driven to be both a reporter and an advocate."

This training was backed by Canada’s CFLI (Canada Fund for Local Initiatives), with the mission to augment female journalists’ skills for accurate media reporting and human rights advocacy. Initiated in 2021, the project sharpens the tools women journalists need to capture and report stories that affect marginalized groups. The training reached its zenith with reports that were alive, breathing with the voices of real moments.

The SJS Secretariat’s head honcho, Abdalle Mumin, heaped praise on the participants and local stakeholders for their collaboration during the exercise. "Our comrades in Lasanod, thank you for your seamless cooperation. As our team walked the roads of Lasanod, we witnessed the repercussions of recent conflicts—a devastating sight. Training local women journalists on human rights narratives at this juncture is key—to arm them with the right instruments to sift through and report on these crucial stories," Abdalle outlined.

"We’ve had the privilege of guiding 12 women journalists from Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo," Abdalle Mumin pointed out with fervor, "They now hold the baton to champion human rights via their reporting. This milestone highlights our unwavering mission to uplift women journalists in Somalia who endure unique hardships."

The Lasanod training unfolded over two enriching days, November 10-11, bringing together participants from various boroughs across the regions. The choice of venue wasn’t random, but rather a response to the call of duty from local scribes. Particularly with the area’s healing post the previous year’s harrowing conflict between SSC-Khaatumo and North Western State of Somalia forces, which left marks on civilians’ lives.

As all settles and stories continue to be born from fresh minds, SJS stands as a beacon of hope and advancement, ensuring that women’s voices resonate through the corridors of journalism and beyond.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring