MOGADISHU, Somalia, 01 September, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) on Wednesday opened the second part of a series of human rights journalism trainings in Beledweyne, Hiiraan region of Hirshabelle State.
The three-day training session, which follows another similar training in Mogadishu in late July, will equip and mentor 25 local journalists with new skills essential to collaboratively monitor, investigate, document and report human rights violations. It is the first ever human rights reporting training held in Hirshabelle State.
With funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), SJS plans to train and mentor up to 150 journalists across Somalia over the next few months.
Officiating the training in Beledweyne, Hiiraan Deputy Governor, Sheikh Hussein Osman Ali described the training as a timely one amid an increase of human rights violations in the region, including increase of sexual violence against women and girls and the systematic marginalization affecting certain communities within society.
“I congratulate the SJS team for choosing our region and the local journalists to be trained in human rights reporting. This is a much-needed initiative. It helps my administration to denounce abuses against the most vulnerable groups and individuals in our society, ”said Sheikh Hussein.
“I would like to appeal to the local media to help us expose the perpetrators of these heinous human rights violations against our women and girls. It is shameful that a whole segment of the community is brutalized; women raped and families displaced and nobody is speaking for them”, adds Deputy Governor Sheikh Hussein “Another problem is the continued marginalization against certain communities in the employment, in the provision of healthcare and education. They are denied the services simply because they come from certain communities.”
On behalf of the regional and district administration, Sheikh Hussein later received copies of the training book and a booklet on the comparisons of articles that protect human rights in the Federal Constitution of Somalia and the constitutions of federal member states. to be discussed during the training. The two copies translated in Somali language were prepared by SJS.
On behalf of the local network of the Hiiraan Journalists Club, Radio Hiiraanweyn Deputy Director, Abdiweli Hussein Tawakal praised SJS efforts to ensure the inclusivity of the training participants from all sectors of the local media houses and freelancers.
“I am extremely pleased the way SJS coordination team has made it possible to ensure the inclusive representation of the participants, including women journalists. On behalf of the Hiiraan Journalists Club, we announce our assurances to prioritize reporting on human rights in this region, ”he added.
SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, who remotely joined the opening session, praised the Hiiraan Regional Administration authorities, Beledweyne District officials and local media networks for the warm and hospitable reception reserved for SJS trainers in the city.
“SJS leadership and member journalists are committed to be the voice of the voiceless communities. That is why we are in Hirshabelle State training these journalists today. Our aim is to capacitate local journalists, build their professional skills and enable them to professionally monitor, investigate, analyze and report information about human rights violations,” Mr. Mumin adds “Journalists are human rights defenders not only by reporting the violations but also by expressing concern about a human rights problem, engaging in dialogue and advocate with authorities, and propose recommendations for corrective actions. That is human rights journalism we want to see in Somalia.”
Mr. Mumin expressed his gratitude to the National Endowment for Democracy for supporting this training project and helping SJS make a real impact in Somalia’s journalism. SJS is also grateful to the management of Radio Hiiraanweyn for their hospitality and providing the venue of the training.
