The Collaboration On International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) announced the list of initiatives and organizations which are successfully awarded grants in the context of Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF). Women in Media Initiative Somalia WIMISOM was one the organizations awarded a grant.
The project which this grant will fund “Strengthening Digital Security Knowledge of Women Journalists and Women-led Media Organizations in Somalia” will be implemented in six months. It will build the digital security skills and knowledge of 150 women journalists (print, broadcast and online) and women-led media organizations as a means of combating growing online threats against the female journalists and their sources.
Digital threat, online harassment and censorship against journalists and social rights activists in Somalia are on the rise. Female journalists are more vulnerable as they face the double-burden of being attacked as journalists and as women. The project will help female journalists defeat the growing digital threats and online harassment. It will also aid female journalists to do their vital work safely and effectively while it will make their families and their sources considerably more secure.
In the past, WIMISOM has implemented activities aimed at increasing the capacity of female journalists in Somalia including trainings on their role in ending FGM and reporting on GBV victims, reporting on children and advocacy through media. WIMISOM has also undertaken initiatives and conducted awareness campaigns aimed at raising the of awareness of the public on human rights, fighting violence against women, women political participation and the importance of girls’ education.
Women in Media Initiative Somalia WIMISOM was founded to give voice, provide networking and capacity building opportunities for Somali women in media. Using evidence based research and employing media, WIMISOM advocates for social change through promotion of human rights, gender equality, good governance, women political participation and elimination of gender based violence.
Click on the link below to read the announcement of grantees.
