Project description:

Experiences in 2008 and early 2009 has shown that women journalists in the Terai are vulnerable to threats sometimes leading to their death. Use of threats to silence reporting on key issues is seen to impact the security situation in the Terai that has direct effect on the democratic space on the ground. This Project is designed to train 25 women journalists in the Terai in order to improve their basic journalism skills, improve their knowledge on human rights, gender based violence, conflict sensitive reporting as well as improve the confidence of these women by providing them with personal security training.

The UNPFN funds will contribute towards two specific activities:

• Training on Conflict sensitive journalism and Human rights
• Preparation of a manual and a video documentary on Personal security, basic skills, Gender and conflict journalism for women journalists in the   Terai.

Peacebuilding Impact:

Key indicators to both outcomes above which impact the peacebuilding process:

• Fewer cases of violence and harassment reported on the 25 women journalists trained and generally on women journalists in the region;
• More women back to work in the field of media in the Terai region;
• Higher quality in hr, conflict, gender and GBV reporting and generally in reporting standards;
• More work available for higher qualified journalists;
• Higher level of awareness on the above issues within and outside the community where the journalists are based.

Project Outcome(s):

Provide 25 women journalists in the Terai the skills and knowledge to improve:

• Their security and to feel confident continuing to working in an environment of heightened personal security risk;
• Their journalism, particularly through their ability to address issues pertaining to: human rights; conflict and gender; and gender based violence.