By: Isatou Sarr & Dawda M. Jallow
The Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus Project (SWEDD+) under the Ministry of Health Projects Coordination Unit last Tuesday commenced a three-day training workshop.
The training, which started on April 22nd at the NAQAA Conference Hall, targeted media personnel. It aimed to strengthen stakeholder capacity in reporting on GBV, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (SEA-SH, with a particular focus on child-sensitive and ethical journalism practices.
Speaking at the event, President of the Women Journalists Association of the Gambia (WoJAG), Annette Camara, spoke on the importance of ethical journalism.
“As women journalists, we firmly believe that ethical journalism is not just about reporting, it’s about responsible storytelling, safeguarding lives, affirming dignity, and being a tool for transformative justice,” she stated.
She highlighted the powerful influence of the media in driving social change and the critical role journalists play, particularly women, in that transformation.
She added that over the years, WoJAG members have championed initiatives to highlight the plight of survivors of GBV and SGBV.
“These efforts challenge harmful cultural norms and ensure that survivors are represented with dignity and respect. This can only happen if we adhere to the canons of journalism, uphold ethical standards,” she pointed out.
Omar Mbacky, operations officer at the ministry of health, elaborated on the SWEDD+ project which, he explained, is a multi-sectoral initiative supported by the World Bank. “Implementation began in 2024, and the project primarily seeks to empower adolescent girls and young women by addressing their diverse needs and overall well-being,” Mbacky further explained. “Another key goal is to provide them with career guidance and counselling to help shape their futures.”
Adama Makasuba, representing the President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), expressed “deep” appreciation for SWEDD+ and the ministry of health’s commitment to strengthening the media’s role.
“The GPU is honoured to contribute to building the capacity of media stakeholders in reporting on GBV, sexual exploitation, and sexual harassment — with a focus on child-sensitive and ethical standards,” he said.
“As a union, we have long maintained that the media plays a crucial role in shaping narratives, challenging harmful norms, and giving voice to vulnerable individuals. This is why we remain committed to strengthening the capacity of journalists,” he emphasized.
