EL FASHER – Women journalists from across Darfur took part in a ‘Safety in Conflict Zones’ workshop in El Fasher recently, supported in part by UNAMID.

The three-day workshop involved 16 Darfur-based women journalists, along with eight female UNAMID public information staff.

During the workshop, participants learned to recognize the circumstances that entail risks for personal safety; to assess major safety risks; and how to effectively deal with public disorders or emergencies. They also acquired skills that will enhance their safety and security, and were exposed to best practices for conflict reporting.

Nagla Jumaa, a participant and journalist from Nyala, South Darfur, noted: “The workshop was very important for us in terms of protecting ourselves as journalists, because in Darfur we have been suffering for more than 13 years from war and conflict.”

Another journalist, Reem Abdalla, from Zalingei, Central Darfur described the workshop as the most important she had ever attended.

“It brought together journalists from all the five states of Darfur and created a spirit of harmony and cooperation between us as a group,” said Ms. Abdalla.

The training was supported by UNAMID’s Communications and Public Information Section, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Sudanese Union of Journalists.

UNAMID has trained more than 70 local journalists in 2017 in a major contribution to the development of a strong media in Darfur.