MARSADAK: Concludes a Training Program for Female Journalists on Media Leadership and Digital Security in Taiz
The Media Freedom Observatory, affiliated with Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC), concluded a specialized training course aimed at enhancing leadership skills and digital security for Yemeni female journalists. This course was part of the “Supporting Media in Yemen” project, which seeks to empower female journalists and protect media freedoms.
The training was held in Taiz, southwestern Yemen, from May 24 to 29, 2025, with the participation of 13 female journalists from the governorates of Sana’a, Taiz, Lahj, Ibb, and Aden. The workshop focused on training participants in newsroom leadership skills, managing editorial meetings, and developing journalistic capabilities in a secure digital environment.
In a statement, Mohamed Ismail, Executive Director of SEMC, said that this training is part of SEMC’s strategic efforts to build and develop the capacities of Yemeni female journalists. He pointed out that the program is not limited to the professional aspect but also seeks to empower women in the media sector as leaders and agents of change.
He added: “We are not just enabling female journalists with professional tools; we are working to enhance their leadership roles in the media scene. Today, we are redefining the role of the female journalist as a leader and change-maker, capable of overcoming challenges and making a meaningful contribution to producing professional and responsible media content that reflects the voice and needs of the community.”
For his part, trainer Bassam Ghabar explained that the involvement of female journalists in newsrooms within media institutions is primarily linked to their level of media awareness and leadership skills. He added that many media institutions still lack specialized programs to train female journalists and enable them to perform their roles effectively and professionally.
Azal Wadhah, a Yemeni journalist, said: “During the course, I learned how to secure my personal accounts and confront electronic blackmail, as well as how to build a strong institutional structure for newsrooms and strengthen advocacy campaigns. It was a wonderful experience that combined diversity and gender considerations, giving us a space to learn and express ourselves freely.”
This training comes within the framework of the “Supporting Media in Yemen” project, which seeks to promote press freedom and freedom of expression by reducing violations against journalists, defending their rights, and providing psychological, legal, and digital support, in addition to building their capacities in various journalistic fields.
It is worth noting that the Media Freedom Observatory is a monitoring and information platform aimed at disseminating everything related to freedom of opinion and expression in various regions of Yemen in a professional and independent manner, as well as analyzing and advocating for journalists’ issues locally and internationally.