I am a journalist working with Liberty Radio in Hoima City, I had worked with the media for over four years before getting an opportunity to participate in the UMWA trainings on gender sensitive reporting and interactive dialogues.
The UMWA trainings I have attended have helped me discover my worth as a female journalist and to raise my confidence. However much I was a re-known radio presenter, I still lacked confidence. This is because, I would hardly stand to address a group of people however small the group would be. I would always find excuses not to moderate or host any guests in my radio program, I thought moderating was only for Male presenters or journalists.
It was also a norm (culture) at my work place that even when you would be presenting, In case there is a talk show within your program, management itself would arrange a male journalist to take over from you. This is because before, I lacked self-confidence and management automatically knew I was incapable of moderating.
Thanks to UMWA and DGF for the capacity building sessions and interactive sessions that enabled me realize that even female journalists can moderate, report and address people with confidence. I decided to try this during one of UMUWA’S trainings in Hoima, the organizers divided us into different groups of six where each group would discuss a different topic and in my group I took up the responsibility of representing my group in the discussion.
Surprisingly I gained confidence, wasn’t shaking like before and I was audible enough. Our group had the best presentation that day. Oh, I can’t express how happy I was that day. I out competed men.
There’s no way I would realize I was a good moderator without giving it a try. Thanks to Uganda Media Women’s Association’s Trainings, am now one of the female moderators in Hoima City.
