Mogadishu, Tuesday, March 7, 2023: With the support of the U.N Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has organized and implemented 3- Day training workshops on reporting persons with disabilities simultaneously in Dhuusamareeb city, Galmudug State and Garowe city of Puntland State from 5th to 7th March 2023 respectively.

Forty participants comprising of persons with disabilities, representatives from CSO organizations supporting persons with disabilities and journalists based in Dhuusmareeb city were the key participants in the training program, while the same selected number of 40 participants have taken part in the similar training workshop held at Garow city of Puntland.

The major aim of the training workshops was to improve journalists’ knowledge on persons with disabilities, increase media coverage of persons with disabilities, and increase their visibility and acceptance for equal opportunities within the Somali community residing at the respective locations.

"Galmudug State journalists greatly needed training on reporting people with disability issues. We appreciate FESOJ and UNSOM for this valuable support.” Abshir Abdi, Minister of Information of Galmudug State, pointed out in his opening remarks.

Furthermore, Ubah Dhiblaawe , Minister of Women Affairs and Human Rights of Galmudug State has described the training on reporting disability issues; in which journalists and people with disability are taking part to be significant and the first of its type.

"It’s the first-time persons with disabilities, and journalists are brought together in a training program in Garowe, it’s important for all of us the PWDs get their rights to be visible in the media content news and in the advocacy programs.” Mohamed Esse Osman, Director General, Ministry of Information of Puntland State indicated in his opening remarks for the training conducted in Garowe city, Puntland State.

In addition, Abaadir Abdulkadir Elmi, Chairman of FESOJ, explained the role of FESOJ and the training programs it’s implementing across the Federal Member State of Somalia (FMS) aiming to achieve social change, and this media training in Garowe city is part in the efforts to highlight the importance of supporting the vulnerable people.

On his part, Ali Adan Abdi, Chairman of the Puntland Disability Association, attending the training held at Garowe, pointed out not getting any media transmitting their issues, and are not considered to be among other people.

Jama Mohamed Hassan a disabled person, is noted to have not succeeded in competing for the Garowe Local Council because of his disability. However, he pointed out the training has encouraged him to run again, expecting the media will support his campaigns next time.

The participants in the two training workshops on reporting persons with disabilities were taken through the main topics, including the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its key principles and objectives.

Furthermore, the participants were given opportunity and time to discuss how to strengthen close cooperation between disabled persons and media reporters in jointly promoting the role of the media in covering programs and stories with disability.

The journalists and the persons with disabilities have discussed how best they can cooperate to improve the empowerment of civil society, and they have exchanged valuable suggestions.

In addition, Abdi Jama Ahmed, Chairman of Dhuusamareeb Disable Association, indicated the three-day workshop with the journalists was fruitful. He emphasized how important they see the cooperation between the journalists and the disabled persons while thanking FESOJ and UNSOM for their support.

During the three-day training, Hamdi Diriye, one of the journalists working in Dhuusamareeb city, emphasized the need for journalists to be sensitive to the stories of disabled persons and pointed out that journalists have learned more about the international conventions protecting the rights of disabled persons. She stressed the training has facilitated for the journalists how to establish good relationships towards persons with special needs,

During the three-day training, the participants received lessons on reporting process, journalist’s ethics, international agreements on human rights and appeals regarding to those issues.

End