The workshop on gender issues for members of the Yemen Journalists Syndicate provided food for thought to the participants. Photo: Solveig Schmidt/IMS

A group of Yemeni journalists have formed a lobby group to put gender issues on the agenda at the national congress of the Yemen Syndicate of Journalists set for December 2008

As a result of a training session in gender issues organised for members of the Yemen Syndicate of Journalists in Sanaa by IFJ and IMS in October, the participating journalists decided to set up a group of people who are to put pressure on the organisers to address the issue of how female journalists may come to play a greater role at management level of Yemeni media organisations.

How to reach the top

Yemen is home to many fine female journalists, but only few women are placed at the very top of the Yemeni media sector. In October, 24 women and 10 men participated in a workshop organised by IFJ and IMS jointly in Sanaa to discuss the particular challenges women journalists face in their daily work and to come up with a strategy on how to overcome the barriers.

Under the headline "Women in leadershp", organisational expert at the Danish School of Journalism and member of the Danish Union, Solveig Schmidt, undertook the training in cooperation with Monir Zarour from IFJ. During the sessions, Solveig Schmidt focused on what it takes of women to aspire to management positions.

The workshop took its departure in the upcoming national congress of the Yemen Syndicate of Journalists, planned to take place in December 2008, and the training and discussions evolved around the subject, how the members may suceed in bringing working conditions and carreer aspirations of female journalists onto the agenda in the congress.

- First of all, the participants were asked to list the specific issues, they would like to see on the agenda of the congress. Secondly, we asked them to list female candidates for the board of the Yemen Syndicate of Journalists. And thirdly we discussed strategies and tactical considerations as a means to amply prepare the participants, says Solveig Schmidt.

During the workshop, members of the board of the YJS joined to share experiences and insights as to the diplomatic leg-work needed ahead and during a congress.

Putting arguments to the test

- I believe the workshop offered an opportunity for the participants to aquaint themselves with the formal and informal rules of engagement at a national congress. Furthermore, they had the chance to discuss their positions and test arguments to support their views, says Solveig Schmidt.

In this atmosphere, the participants themselves decided to set up a lobby group that is to establish a list of female candidates to run for a seat in the YJS board. The group is also planning to advocate their points for the agenda of the congress, and finally, the group is planning to also lobby for an amendment of the consitution of the Yemeni Syndicate of Journalists.

The national congress is scheduled to be held in Sanaa in december 2008.