Sierra Leone’s journalists’ union, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has unveiled its new gender policy aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace.
The “Media Gender-Equality Policy” seeks to address gender imbalances in work environments and combat harassment in newsrooms and online. It also advocates for the implementation of a monitoring program to ensure that all rights in the workplace are respected.
The policy calls for equal access to resources for all journalists and mandates that women make up at least 30% of SLAJ’s executive board. It also emphasizes equal opportunities for assignments, promotions, and allowances.
The policy further highlights the importance of safety measures and maternity/paternity leave for journalists and condemns discrimination.
Williette James, the SLAJ representative at the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Gender Council, believes that the policy will benefit journalists, media institutions, and partners if all stakeholders prioritize its implementation within Sierra Leone’s media institutions. SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla has announced plans to hold meetings to discuss the policy further, develop implementation strategies, and engage with media stakeholders and owners.