Dhuusamareeb city, Wednesday, September 29, 2021: The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) today concluded a three-day training on improving the capacity of journalists in election reporting and supporting the 30% women quota during the elections in Somalia.

The training promoting the journalists from the media houses and freelancers operational in the regional area has been conducted from 27th to September 29 2021, at Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug State.

The 3 – day training held at Dhuusamareeb city, the fourth of its type conducted at the main cities of the regional states of Somalia; has been implemented by FESOJ in partnership with United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

The capacity-building program has provided the journalists with an opportunity to learn ethics and the methodology of producing media programs focusing on election reporting and supporting the 30% women quota in the parliament of Somalia.

In his opening remarks, Abdifatah Hassan Farah, Deputy Chairman of FESOJ, has pointed out that in cooperation with UNSOM, FESOJ is making efforts to improve the journalists' skills to enable them to apply what they have learned in supporting achieve the 30% women quota.

During the second day of the training, the journalists have done practice on the lessons presented on the first day dealing with the various procedures planned to report the elections, especially when it comes to the 30% quota for women.

In the practical session, the journalists were divided into five groups working on themes relating to women quota and have subsequently made presentations in the form of debate, analysis, drama, and news reports and news packages.

Following the presentations, the facilitators conducted an open session for exchanging discussions and comments on the media programs the journalists have worked on.

The main intention of the training workshop was to strengthen the capacity of the journalists in election reporting, support the advocacy campaigns for women political participation, and achieve their 30% quota in the parliament.

The participating journalists were taken through themes that included ethical journalism, use of social media in elections, how to make feature media programs on women political participation.

The journalists were also advised and encouraged to increase the media advocacy campaign on promoting the 30% women quota in the upcoming election for the Federal parliament, understanding the challenges women face and how the media can lessen.

Inconclusion, Abdifatah Hassan Farah, the Deputy Chairperson of FESOJ, urged the Participants to focus on reporting women quota before and during the election and support how these constitutional rights be achieved through Media Programs. "Sit with elders who neglect women's political Participation and allocated quota, to nominate women candidates to the political arena. "I advise you to change the previous attitude and come up with new ideas, based on the training and work for the wellbeing of the society." Abdifatah Hassan Farah said.

In his closing remarks, Bashir Mohamed Salad, Dhusamareb Local Government spokesperson, thanked the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) and UNSOM for empowering Galmudug State Journalists in election reporting and supporting achieving the 30% women quota in the upcoming House of the People elections. He pointed out the training has coincided with the election time. He requested FESOJ to increase such activities.

In closing remarks through WhatsApp video call, Valerie Msoka, UNSOM/SCPAG's Deputy Chief urged the participants to apply the knowledge they acquired during the three-day training program. . She has also stressed the need to support women quota and reporting women political participation based on the training contents participants have taken. "I advise you to produce a program that will help achieve 30% Quota of women by harnessing elders, youth intellectuals and anyone who can support the implementation of Women's Quota." Valerie Msoka stated.

Furthermore, she has invited the participants to think of any pieces of training they may need in the future to upgrade their capacity as journalists.

Hafsa, one of the female journalist participants, has pointed out that the training has provided her with a practical exercise that will support her in producing quality media programs on election reporting and supporting women's participation in the political process. "The training has given me hope and advanced my profession and personality. "She said.

In addition, Mohamed Abdi, another participant working for the Federal government Radio Dhusamareeb indicating the training is the first of its type he was attending advised all the colleagues to apply the knowledge they have acquired at their respective media stations. He assured me that he would cover the elections properly and support the advocacy campaign for achieving the 30% women quota. "I would like to request digital training such as Camera and Video editing as well" he stated.

The training workshop was part of series of journalist’s empowerment program initiatives supported by UNSOM and implemented by FESOJ in the regional states of Somalia to improve their professional capacities in election reporting and supporting for women's quota.

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