By Bill W. Cooper
The Youth Media Action (YMA), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has successfully empowered four female journalists through a specialized training program towards promoting human rights and social justice reporting.
With support from the USAID, the YMA Liberia Civil Society Activity, aims to enhance the capacity of young female journalists to report on critical issues affecting women and girls, particularly in human rights and social justice.
However, the certification and handover of the equipment to the four female journalists followed the completion of a two-week Human Rights Defenders and Social Justice Reporting Project Training, as items received are one computer, recorders, and Canon Cameras each.
Also, the training program brought together four aspiring female journalists from various regions of Liberia, as they were selected for their passion for journalism and commitment to social change, and underwent an intensive curriculum designed to equip them with the necessary skills to tackle complex human rights issues.
They are Decontee M. Karngar, a freelancer at the Inquirer Newspaper, and Tina Siatta Mehnpaine, a reporter at the Daily Observer Newspaper, among others.
Giving an overview of the initiative, YMA International Consultant, Graziani Solano, said it seeks to build and empower women journalists with ideas on reporting wholly Human Rights and Social Justice in Liberia.
She said the two weeks of interactive training covered a wide range of topics, including investigative reporting, ethical journalism, and the legal frameworks surrounding human rights in Liberia.
Solano added that one of the primary objectives of the program was to empower these journalists to become advocates for social justice in the country, adding, “By equipping them with the skills to report on human rights violations, the initiative aims to foster a culture of accountability and transparency in Liberia, where issues such as gender-based violence, corruption, and political repression remain prevalent.”
Earlier, YMA Executive Director, Varmah Kamara said that yesterday’s ceremony was not just to celebrate or certificate the four female trainees but to reaffirm their commitment to inspiring media reform for professional journalism and vibrant democracy.
“So, throughout this morning’s activities, speeches, and experience sharing, we hope to share insight on the impact of our collective efforts and the continued need for support, and as we move through the program, I encourage you all to engage with one another, share stories, and enjoy the array of activities we have lined up for you,” he expressed.
Let today’s certification be a testament to a new beginning in the Liberian media to strengthen and unite our community in the fight for social injustice through stories and articles as we work together towards a brighter and more promising future,” he noted.
Varmah added, “Before l conclude, let me remind all of us to make the most of this event. Let’s take ownership of this project, cherish these moments of joy, celebrate our achievement, and look forward to the new opportunities that lie ahead.”
USAID Director for the Office of Democracy, Rule of Law and Governance, Angelina Allen-Mpyisi, termed the initiative as a great step to shining light on and addressing Human Rights and Social Justice in the country.
She added, “Empowering young female journalists is crucial for the future of Liberia, and these women will not only report on issues affecting their communities but will also inspire other young women to pursue careers in journalism and advocacy. This is a step towards building a more equitable society.”
Meanwhile, the four participants extolled both YMA and USAID for the initiative which they described as educative and timely, promising to use the knowledge and equipment acquired in becoming change agents.
Journalist Karngar, who has been reporting on local issues for several years, emphasized the importance of female voices in journalism, and said, “Women’s perspectives are often overlooked in the media. This training has taught me how to amplify those voices and ensure that women’s issues are represented in our stories.”
Mehnpaine, for her part, highlighted the importance of mentorship in overcoming these obstacles, and intoned, “We need more support for female journalists in Liberia. This training is a great start, but we need ongoing mentorship and resources to continue our work effectively.”
