MILESTONE AS AMWIK LAUNCHES MODEL MEDIA POLICY

It was a moment of celebration as AMWIK and its partner, Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Voice for Women and Girls’ Rights-Kenya launched the model Sexual Harassment Policy and an ad hoc Committee at the sidelines of the inaugural Annual Human Rights Conference.

While the climax of the event was the launch of the Anti-Sexual Harassment policy and the committee, various stakeholders appended their signature of commitment to adopt the anti-sexual harassment policy and support efforts aimed at fighting the vice.

Speaking during the event, AMWIK Executive Director Judie Kaberia said the launch was an outcome of cross-sector efforts in addressing the eyesore of sexual harassment in the media. The ad hoc committee and policy, she stated, were a big milestone to addressing some of the challenges female journalists face in their work citing that sexual harassment was one of the main reasons that push women journalists out of the media prematurely.

Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender Affairs, Hon. Beatrice Elachi in her endorsement of the Sexual Harassment Committee and policy lauded AMWIK for taking the lead to support women in the media. She said having more women in the newsroom would ensure increased coverage of women and issues that affect them.