Journalism is powerful. Having the freedom, resources, and outlets to tell your own story and control your own image is a basic human right that so many of us—even here in the United States—aren’t empowered to exercise. Not to mention, men still significantly outnumber women in the newsroom. According the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), in the United States, women make up only about 37 percent of news media workers.
Global Girl Media is hoping to change that. An article published in The Atlanta Post details the work of this new non-profit initiative that will give 20 South African teenagers the skills to report on the upcoming World Cup tournament.
The project, called “Kick it Up!” will introduce the girls, ages 15 to 20, to local trained media professionals, teaching them online reporting through blogging, filming, and video editing.
As stated on their website, GlobalGirlMedia.org:
“The perspectives of many poor girls the world over remain marginalized and their voices are often silent. Without access to training and equipment, and computers they can’t share their ideas and communicate with each other. At the same time many girls’ real-life experiences are often absent from larger mainstream news and entertainment outlets, and when they do portray girls, these images often misrepresent their varied worldviews and their real lives and struggles.”
Global Girl Media was created to give underserved young women around the world the confidence and the tools to participate in online media, and to share both their joys and their struggles. Pilot projects are in the works to bring media training to girls in Thailand, India, Mexico, and Kenya.
Visit the Global Girl Media website to find out more about the project, and to learn how you can help change the face of journalism.
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