Recognizing the potential of the media to contribute to the advancement of women, UN Women in collaboration with Gender and Media Connect (GMC) and the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) convened a media workshop in Harare on July 30,  2024.

The workshop convened in preparation for the Beijing Declaration+30 in 2025, as an effort to re-engage the media,  was attended by 65 journalists with over ¾ female journalists from various media houses in Zimbabwe. The media significantly contributes to promoting gender equality and empowering women, particularly through shaping the gender discourse and dismantling gender stereotypes in reporting.

Media practitioners representing print, digital and online media engaged in interactive sessions at the workshop, exchanging strategic ideas and best practices in reporting on gender issues and promoting women’s voices in the media. The workshop also aimed to assess the media’s progress in gender-sensitive reporting, and to equip journalists with the resources and knowledge needed to challenge stereotypes and biases and ensure fair and comprehensive news coverage.

Sefalani Tsiko, a journalist of senior standing at The Herald, a prominent Zimbabwean newspaper, expressed appreciation for the training that refreshed his understanding of new and emerging topics in gender-sensitive reporting and the utilization of AI to empower women and girls.

Fatima Bulla, a Senior Reporter for Sunday Mail, also emphasized and recognized the continual efforts of UN Women to involve and raise awareness among the media about gender-responsive reporting on all media platforms. She also highlighted UN Women’s initiatives to evaluate media coverage since the adoption and endorsement of the Beijing Platform of Action and other legal frameworks supporting gender equality.

UN Women collaborates with the media to promote gender equality and ensure equitable representation of women in media. Before the 2023 Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections, media professionals received training on reporting women’s participation in politics and elections, leadership, and decision-making in a balanced manner, aiming to improve inclusivity in election coverage. 

During the workshop, Ms Tinashe Sande, UN Women Zimbabwe’s Gender Mainstreaming and Coordination Specialist emphasised the vital role of the media in advancing advocacy for gender equality and the empowerment of women in Zimbabwe.

“The low representation of women in politics, decision making and leadership perpetuates gender inequalities and biases. UN Women continues to recognise the potential the media has in changing the status quo, therefore continues to engage the media in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment”, she said.

This media workshop followed the earlier training, assessing the progress or regression and exploring ways to effectively move forward. It also operated as a forum for journalists to share knowledge and exchange best practices. UN Women leveraged on this gathering to connect and establish relations with different media organizations in Zimbabwe as a way to foster a long-lasting partnership with the media, especially in raising awareness, and advocacy to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in Zimbabwe.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

An independent human rights expert today strongly condemned the 2 August suicide attack at Lido Beach in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu that killed 37 civilians and injured over 210, including many young people.

“This attack is unacceptable, and more so because the deliberate targeting of civilians is contrary to humanitarian principles and constitutes a serious breach of international law that protects civilians in times of armed conflict,” said Isha Dyfan, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia.

“The perpetrators of this attack must be identified quickly and brought to justice,” Dyfan said.

She expressed her solidarity with the people and authorities of the Federal Republic of Somalia in their quest for peace and stability. The expert extended her sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

UNSMIL monitors with concern the recent mobilization of forces in various parts of Libya, particularly in the southern and western regions. We commend ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further tension.

UNSMIL urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any provocative military actions that could be perceived as offensive and might jeopardize Libya’s fragile stability and the safety of its people. The Mission calls for continued communication and coordination between forces affiliated to the LNA and GNU.

The Mission regrets that these developments coincide with the 84th anniversary of the foundation of Libya’s army and recalls the current division of this vital institution.

On this occasion, the Mission reminds all military and security actors of the importance of a unified, accountable, and professional military and security institutions. The Mission stands ready to facilitate dialogue towards that end and provide all technical expertise and support.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Seychelles filed its response, today, on the written statements transmitted by States, groups of States and international organisations to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the advisory proceedings regarding the “Obligations of States in respect of climate change”.

As the country continues to face the negative effects of climate change, and whilst these events significantly threaten not only the country’s land territory and infrastructure but also the Seychellois people and their livelihoods, the country finds it important to establish legal consequences for the non-performance of the obligations of States which leads to causing significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment.

The written comments convey Seychelles commitment and stance in prioritising environmental responsibility and adherence to international norms and laws in addressing global challenges.

Though the ICJ’s advisory opinions are not legally binding, they can clarify rights and obligations of States under existing binding international law and, as such Seychelles hopes that The Court’s ruling would thus help strengthen multilateral negotiations and provide a clear legal benchmark under international law in respect of climate change.

To recall that pursuant to Resolution 77/276 of 29th March 2023 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, Seychelles submitted its first written comments to the court on 20th March 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.