Women journalists train in project design, management

Thirty four local women journalists concluded a four-day training in designing and managing media-related projects over the weekend. Organised by the Media High Council, the training was partly to demystify the notion that media is a non profitable profession and male dominated. According to Peacemaker Mbuiramihigo, MHC Executive Secretary, the training aimed at helping women journalists acquire skills in project design and management so that they can be able to work on their own other than waiting for sponsors or working for other media organisations, mostly owned by males. Mbungiramihigo said that such training, which was the second of its kind, followed research which revealed that female journalists are undermined and are not as active as their male counterparts in the media industry. Mbungiramihigo said that he was optimistic that the training will be put to good use and that women journalists will make a difference. “We still have a long way to go but hope we will achieve what we want,” he said referring to the saying that whoever educates a woman educates the society. “We want you to put to good use the skills you have acquired…we will continue working closely with you so that whatever projects you plan are implemented, we want you to broaden your minds to pursue professional and profitable media which benefit the society,” he added Participants said that they have gained necessary skills which will help them work on media projects both as individuals and as a group to ensure the industry is as profitable as other business sectors. “We have gained skills and we are committed to put them to good use, however we want MHC to keep working closely with us and support us. We want to implement what we have learned from the training but we still need more training in budgeting among other areas,” said Jeorigitte Uwamariya one of the women journalists who attended. Women journalists were also challenged to carry out research and do more reading to improve their skills and insure that what they do benefits them financially. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Women journalists train in project design, management