KIGALI - The first global summit on media and gender in Africa will start today with an aim of encouraging gender equality in the media.

Among the objectives of the conference is to assess Africa’s progress in mainstreaming gender in the media and enhance the equality of women and men in the profession.

According to the president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Jim Boumelha, participants will discuss gender challenges by women in the profession.

He said that the conference will also hold discussions on the needs and conditions that should be put in place to enhance gender equality.

"There will be an assessment of where Africa has reached regarding gender issues in the media. We want to see how there can be an increase in participation of gender equality on the continent,” Bourmella said.

He added that he expects participants to empower, learn from each other and become agents of change after the conference.

The IFJ president stated that there are a number of gender-based challenges women face in the profession.

"There are issues of discrimination, income inequality, stereotypes, promotions and positions of responsibility. We want to set up an all Africa Gender Council to discuss these issues and bring about change,” Bourmella added.

He urged female Journalists to collectively fight within the journalist unions whenever they encounter such challenges, adding that it was advisable to desist from tackling the challenges alone but rather think and solve them together in the unions, and also take up positions of leadership.

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