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Women Journalists Claim a Stake in Political Reporting

The Douala-based women journalists association Dynamic and Caring Female Journalists in Cameroon (better known by its French acronym JAFEC, Association des journalists d’action, femmes de coeur Journalistes) presented the second in a three-city series of seminars to inspire and train women journalists in political reporting. Following the first seminar, held in the economic capital of Douala, in December 2007, the January 17, 2008, Yaounde seminar brought together Center and South Province participants, and had strong backing from long-time conceptual sponsor, the Provincial Delegate for the Center Province of the Ministry of Communication Jean-Paul Nanga Abanda. The full-day seminar included presentations by Dr. Mathias Owona Nguini, of the University of Yaounde II, Le Front publisher Henriette Ekwe, an exposé on the Millennium Challenge Corporation by U.S. Embassy Political/Economic Section Chief Scott Ticknor and a Department of State documentary on news writing techniques.

The seminar left room for a discussion as to why female journalists are underrepresented in editorial departments and decision-making positions. Reasons ranged from hierarchical prejudices about the capability of women journalists, lack of solidarity among female media colleagues, lack of rigor in acquiring the historical and political knowledge it takes to become an effective political reporter, to social pressure on women to adhere to a less demanding career and fulfill one’s “natural” (culturally conditioned) role in the home. Far from single-sourced, frustrations at various levels were expressed. Participants acknowledged that they had the ultimate responsibility for making sure their professional ambitions as journalists were satisfied.

The presence of the Center Province and Mfoundi Division Ministry of Communication authorities gave visibility to the seminar. The seminar closed with a list of adopted resolutions among the participants, including the designation of Center/South Province JAFEC organizational members to ensure continual information flow and a spirit of mutual solidarity among newly incorporated JAFEC members. (photo gallery: Yaounde | Douala)