Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) has partnered with veteran broadcaster Lisa LaFlamme on a new series of mini documentaries showing how journalism is changing lives in Kenya and Tunisia.
Featuring LaFlamme on-the-ground in Africa and launched on JHR’s YouTube channel, the four-part series shines a light on issues like gender-based violence and discrimination against women, including how a JHR-supported media campaign in Tunisia helped spur legislative progress toward improving access to shelters for women and children. In Kenya, LaFlamme tells the story of female journalists, who endure the highest rate of sexual harassment in newsrooms, according to a global media study. JHR, in partnership with the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, has introduced a model sexual harassment policy for the industry pushing for a gender-inclusive culture.
“The world continues to recognize March 8th as International Women’s Day, but it is important to understand that there is a long way to go, here in Canada and globally, to reach the ultimate goal of equality, safety and a world free from gender-based violence,” said Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director of JHR, in a release. “Yet despite the challenges worldwide, Lisa’s powerful storytelling shows the extent to which positive, systemic change for women and girls, and by extension for communities, is possible—even in the most difficult of circumstances, through the compounded challenges of COVID-19.”
“At JHR, we remain vigilant in our focus to help journalists tell the stories that create a fairer, safer world where human rights are consistently respected. Lisa’s work on this investigative series is invaluable to our efforts. It is a unique privilege to have Lisa help tell these important stories,” added Pulfer.
“There are few organizations that do the challenging work that JHR has committed to globally,” said LaFlamme. “For me, this series is about the critical role that journalism plays in keeping human rights issues in the spotlight. These are important, often underreported stories. A school for teenage mothers – victims of sexual abuse, tackling lopsided newsrooms where there is a lack of women in leadership and reporting roles, combatting the endemic problem of gender-based violence and the need for shelters and most importantly, education – these can be tough stories to tell. But they are also life-changing – and a reminder that with the work of organizations like JHR, a better and more equal future is possible.”
The project was funded by Canadian non-profit Bigger Than Our Borders, which aims to increase Canada’s international cooperation to create a more equitable, healthy and resilient world.
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