Empowering women journalists to amplify voices

DAR ES SALAAM: TO amplify women’s voices in politics, Jamii Media is empowering 10 female journalists countrywide to take the lead in shaping the narrative.

Through the Amplify Her Political Voice initiative, these trailblazing reporters are gaining the skills needed to spotlight ordinary women and their political insights, ensuring their voices are no longer overlooked.

The six-month project, sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Tanzania in collaboration with Jamii Media, focuses on increasing the representation of ordinary citizens, particularly women, in political discussions.

The 2020 elections highlighted the gap in media coverage, with only 10 per cent of news outlets using ordinary citizens as sources, and of those, just 20 per cent were women, according to the Yearbook Report 2020.

This project aims to change that narrative.

Speaking to journalists after the training, Jamii Media Programme Officer Joyness Byarugaba said amplifying women’s voices in political is crucial.

“The goal of this project is to ensure that women’s voices are heard in political articles, to enable women to become credible sources of news, and to increase the number of female journalists reporting on political issues related to women,” Ms Byarugaba said.

She further said that the project was launched in response to the significant lack of women’s representation in political discussions.

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The training selected 10 female journalists from a pool of 20 applicants who showcased their work on women’s representation in politics.

These chosen participants have now gained essential skills, including data-driven journalism, photo editing, and mobile journalism, equipping them to produce high-quality political articles that amplify women’s voices and perspectives.

“The training has significantly helped our participants understand various aspects of journalism, and they are now well-prepared to amplify women’s voices in political matters,” she added.

One of the participants, Farida Mangube a journalist based in Morogoro, expressed her enthusiasm, especially with the upcoming local government and general elections.

“I am ready to ensure women’s voices are heard in the elections, starting with the Local Government elections in November,” Mangube said.

She said her commitment to working on news and articles that directly involve women’s perspectives has now increased.

Another trainee, Tukuswiga Mwaisumbe a journalist based in Iringa, highlighted cultural barriers and lack of confidence as key reasons for the underrepresentation of women in political reporting.

“One issue is harmful cultural practices that make women hesitant to speak out.

Additionally, many women lack confidence, even when they have valuable information,” Mwaisumbe said.

However, with the skills gained from the training, these journalists are determined to break those barriers and ensure that women’s voices are finally given the platform they deserve
in political reporting.