Empowering women journalists

To empower women journalists in Namibia, Women in Media (WiM), in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, hosted a two-day workshop on human rights and digital security.

WiM was founded in 2021 by journalists Limba Mupetami and Jemima Beukes with the aim of empowering women in media and bridging the gap between women journalists and women newsmakers. This initiative addresses the underrepresentation of women's voices in mainstream media.

The crucial initiative coincides with the upcoming 2024 elections and seeks to provide women journalists with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively navigate the digital landscape while safeguarding their rights.

Broader concerns

Beukes emphasised the importance of raising awareness among the general public, law enforcement, and media house leadership regarding the significance of addressing and comprehending the safety concerns of women journalists.

"I find that interventions for the safety of female journalists often overlook the aspect of the emotional toll these abuses take on women journalists during the line of their work," she said.

"It is also important to note that when journalists are harassed while out in the field, it is essentially violence in the workplace because they experienced this while doing their job, whether at a political rally or in a river taking a picture of a crime scene."

She said "this is often misunderstood. Following my assault by the presidential police, my children were left traumatised and worried whenever I leave the house for work, especially when I go to the State House. This underscores the broader impact of such incidents on not only the journalists themselves but also their families."

Evolution of media

The workshop also delved into the various barriers faced by women journalists, both within their workplaces and outside of them, and placed a special emphasis on strategies to overcome these obstacles, ensuring that female journalists can pursue their work without any interference.

It also looked at self-protection in an effort to equip women journalists with the essential skills and strategies to ensure their safety and well-being in the increasingly complex digital age.

Mupetami highlighted that the digital age has brought with it unprecedented opportunities for journalists to reach wider audiences, investigate stories more deeply, and engage with communities on a global scale.

Equip

She, however, added that it has unfortunately also introduced new threats and vulnerabilities, such as cyberattacks, online harassment, surveillance, and misinformation.

"In today's rapidly-evolving digital landscape, the responsibilities and challenges of journalists have expanded, and we must equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate this new era effectively," she said.

"This workshop is not just an opportunity to learn and share experiences but also a platform to address some critical issues. We are here to discuss human rights and digital security, two vital aspects of journalism that are inseparable in today's world."

She added: "Human rights journalism plays a pivotal role in exposing injustices, holding those in power accountable, and advocating for the rights of the marginalised and vulnerable. It's a noble profession, but it's not without its challenges, particularly when we consider the digital dimension."