Media & Feminism Course Concludes

The four session media and feminist activism course organized by I’lam and Assiwar,“Media and Women’s Issues and Gender” recently concluded after a very successful run. The course began on May 6, 2011 and included four sessions concluding on May 27, 2011.  The course involved both journalists and social workers/feminist activists. The first session included an introduction, and discussion on how women are portrayed in the media.  Areen Hawari from Assiwar expressed Assiwar’s interest in working with the public as well as the media.  Amal Jamal from I’lam discussed the significance I’lam places on educating the news media as well its readers of the importance of coverage of women’s issues in the media.  The second session discussed the present roles of women in media organizations as well as the lack of women in media organizations.  The third session included data and research showing an increase the coverage of women’s issues, and at the same time a marginalization of those issues.  The fourth and final meeting dealt with the issue of sexual violence towards women, and the need for it to be taken seriously.  The media can play a crucial role in this as it plays a large part in shaping public opinion. 

The original Press Release can be read in Arabic.

Photo of Participants from the Final Session:

Samah Bsoul, I'lam's Arabic Media Coordinator (bottom row, second from left) and Areen Hawari (adjacent to Samah, third from left) of Assiwar with participants.