Women in Development and Peace – Alia Mohammed
Yemeni women have excelled in the field of media, becoming influential voices in society. However, many still face various difficulties and challenges in advancing in the media field. This is where the vital role of dynamic youth comes in, to support and empower women working in the media.
This role is crucial for achieving gender equality in this field, leaving a positive and tangible impact. According to director and broadcaster Amr Muhammad, “Today’s youngsters are experiencing a cultural and intellectual transformation that helps them overcome and understand the challenges faced by women working in the media.”
He also emphasizes that youth have the ability to change the culture and institutional practices of media entities by pressuring decision-makers to create clear policies to combat gender discrimination and bias, ensuring equal opportunities for women. Additionally, youth can act as mediators to shape alternative media outlets and enhance content diversity, allowing women to highlight their issues and strengthen their presence in the media industry.
Amr Muhammad analyzes the role of youth in supporting women in the media profession from various aspects, including conducting awareness and educational activities to clarify the roles and responsibilities available to women in the media, as well as promoting the idea of gender equality. Furthermore, discussing issues of discrimination and gender bias faced by women working in the media is essential.
He continues by stating, “Youth can support women in the media by providing psychological support that enhances their confidence and independence, positively impacting their professional performance. Moreover, providing training opportunities and developing their skills play a crucial role in improving their chances of recruitment and promotion.”
On the other hand, journalist Adnan Abdul-Rahman Al-Shaibani emphasizes the importance of the youth’s role in supporting women’s participation in the media field, contributing to diversity, and promoting equality and justice in society. He states, “The role of youth in supporting women’s participation in the media cannot be overlooked or neglected. Youth play a crucial role in supporting women’s participation in the media by enhancing awareness and capabilities, expanding discussion and communication to empower women and enhance their role in this important field.”
He then added: “Young people can also serve as a link between women, media institutions, and the public. Additionally, many of them advocate for creating space for female journalists in media institutions to cover women’s issues, amplify their voices, and share their experiences through various media outlets.”
This refers to the role of youth in supporting female journalists and achieving gender balance in media content through representing women in the media, discussing issues of equality and empowerment, and raising awareness about the importance of women in the media industry and its impact on diversity and representation.
Al-Shaibani also highlighted the important role that youth play in building a strong base of women in media and enhancing their capabilities through providing training, practical workshops, and qualifications for those interested in entering the field of media, equipping them with essential skills such as editing, filming, and managing social media.
“Niswan” Platform as an Example
Many platforms and media institutions are dedicated to training female journalists, launching journalistic projects, assisting in building media institutions, and “Niswan” platform is one of the most important of these platforms.
Huda Harbi, a journalist on “Niswan” platform, stated: “Niswan” is a specialized media platform for women in Yemen, aiming to discuss Yemeni women’s issues and enhance their presence in the media field. The platform was founded on May 3, 2019, by a group of Yemeni journalists.” She added: “The idea of establishing the platform came as a result of the need for a specialized media platform for Yemeni women’s issues, to convey their voices, shed light on their needs and rights. We also wanted to provide opportunities for Yemeni female journalists to express themselves and showcase their creativity in media work.” She emphasized that the choice of women’s issues to discuss stems from the platform’s belief that women are half of society and play a crucial role in its construction and development. Additionally, Yemeni women’s issues are often ignored or undermined, and the platform seeks to highlight them and find solutions.
Harbi explained that the platform provided a series of training sessions for Yemeni female journalists to empower them in media work and present a positive image of Yemeni women. She believes that youth have a vital and effective role in enhancing the presence of women in the media field and achieving their goals in contributing to community development.
The efforts and integrated contributions of young people remain crucial in enhancing the status of women and supporting them in all aspects of professional life, particularly in the field of media. These efforts are clear, tangible, and necessary.