The Young Women’s Media and Information Literacy Initiative project wrapped up its second regional sprint at a three-day training of 40 young women media workers in the Central River Region on ‘Media and digital literacy, ethical use of online platforms and research tips among others.
The three-day training (22-24.11.2024) gathered participants representing journalists, civil society organizations, communication officers and Press Club members in Bansang, a provincial town in the Central River Region (CRR) of The Gambia. The training offered insightful discussion and knowledge sharing, which gave the participants a wider understanding of the media sector and how to rightly use the tools for greater impact.
The session also gave the YoMIL project team an understanding of the key challenges confronting the career growth of young women in the media sector in CRR which would be incorporated in the Young Women’s Media Guide, a working tool that would be produced at the end of the project.
The training aimed to empower young women in the media sector across all regions in The Gambia with the right understanding and requisite skills for the dynamic world of media and information sharing.
#YoMIL envisioned to empower the need for young women in the media sector to be assertive and contribute equally with men in the sector, continually upgrade their skills to contribute meaningfully in the sector. The digital literacy training boosts participants’ understanding on digital media and how to safely use the platforms to report on women issues.
Madeline Ileleji the Digital Literacy Trainer for the CRR sprint said, “The participants’ understanding on Digital security and Safety was minimal. However, after the training, their knowledge on the topic improved greatly with regards to password management, internet safety, posting content online, cyber bullying and media literacy.”
Sainabou Saine, one of the participants said the training has given her valuable knowledge and skills on how to critically evaluate information, use digital platforms responsibly, and amplify the voices of women in a constructive and impactful way. “These skills are not only empowering but also essential in today’s fast-paced and information-driven world,” she said.
“This training has shown us the importance of being informed, responsible, and proactive when engaging with the media. It has also given us the confidence to navigate the digital space safely and effectively while contributing positively to our communities,” Sainabou said, while thanking the initiator for coming with such a project for the young women in The Gambia.