No discrimination against female journalists [Archives:2006/916/Local News]
SANA'A, Jan. 25 ) Several media leaders refused the idea of 'discrimination' mentioned in a study about the situation of Yemeni women in media. At a workshop organized particularly to announce the study's results, they admitted that women in media face many difficulties and obstacles; however, they agreed such difficulties result from technical, social and economic obstacles facing all media staff, not just women.
The Jan. 22-23 workshop, organized by the Yemeni Female Media Forum (YFMF), in cooperation with the Yemeni Media Development Program (YMDP), was devoted to discussing results of the study, considered the first-ever public survey concerning the status of Yemeni women in media and the societal and institutional obstacles they face in doing their job.
According to the study prepared by Dr. Mohammed Alfaqeh, assistant professor in the information college at Sana'a University, there are many types of discrimination against women within various media institutions. The most visible discriminatory practices against women are: few training opportunities offered them, being ignored for any coverage abroad, occasional sexual harassment and immodest treatment by male colleagues and executive and leadership positions given to male journalists, despite women deserving to ascend the hierarchy.
However, initial study results shown in the graph below revealed that despite the difficulties and discrimination, almost three-quarters (74 percent) of female journalists enjoy a high degree of job satisfaction. This reflects their perseverance and determination to face up to and overcome the frustrating conditions, the study mentioned.
The effect of cultural environment on a female journalist's work also was included in the study, revealing several positive and negative effects of customs and tradition. The study requested media institutions do everything they can to better media women's conditions and status.
SABA News Agency chief, Nasser Taha Mustafa, said it is not exactly correct to say that Yemeni women haven't been granted executive and leadership positions in media institutions. For example, he said there are two or three women directing departments at his agency. He admitted the number of women in such positions is still small, adding that women face many social obstacles. For example, they can't work full time due to family obligations, so they cannot devote themselves completely to leadership or management roles.
Mohammed Alasadi, Yemen Observer Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the importance of improving women journalists' efficiency, pointing out that many women lack computer or English language skills which are very importance in media work nowadays. He also referred to negative attitudes some female media members adopt when limiting their activities and productions only to women's and children's issues. According to Alasadi, they refuse to cover poetic, international or diplomatic events.
Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate member Sami Ghalb confessed that there are not many training courses particularly offered to female journalists needing more encouragement and rehabilitation.
Abass Aldailami, national radio general director, referred to the importance of considering poor socioeconomic circumstances that block creative works in Yemen. He said such difficult circumstances create complications preventing media staff from accomplishing their tasks competently.
Minister of Information, Hussein Alawadhi, did not attend the workshop, which consisted of more than 50 participants from various international and national media institutions.
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