The first all-female newsroom in Somalia, the most dangerous place in Africa for journalism

But in its nearly 18 months of operation, Bilan, which means “to shine,” has overcome prejudice and insecurity to cover some of Somalia’s most taboo topics, including drug addiction among women, albinism, women living with HIV and period shame.

Shukri Mohamed Abdi and Fathi Mohamed Ahmed, two female journalists at Bilan Media. Photo: Reuters

“Sometimes my soul tells me that I cannot continue with this job because of insecurity and social pressure. However, it is a profession that I have loved since I was a child and a dream that still lives in me,” Ahmed said.

Despite support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), success has not been easy or without risk for Ahmed and her team.

With more than 50 journalists killed since 2010, Somalia is the most dangerous country for journalists in Africa, according to Reporters Without Borders.

The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Somalia last on its Global Impunity Index, which measures the number of unsolved killings of journalists as a percentage of a country's population.

“In a deeply patriarchal society, some people find it difficult to discuss women’s issues openly. Others complain that Bilan’s stories have damaged the country’s reputation,” Ahmed said.

“We know that for Somalis, girls’ issues are shameful,” she said. “For example, signs of adolescence like menstruation. Girls are not taught about female symptoms in the classroom.”

The stigma surrounding menstruation became one of Bilan's most widely shared stories when it aired earlier this year, attracting more than 130,000 views and dozens of comments on Facebook.

“I used to feel scared to share my personal problems with my teachers. I couldn’t express my problems. I urge students not to feel ashamed and afraid,” said Maria Abdullahi Jama, a 19-year-old student at Bondhere School in Mogadishu.

“It is good to raise awareness among girls about menstruation and how to keep clean so that they see it as a natural thing that all women have,” said Sheikh Abdi Hayi, a preacher at the Omar Ibnu Khadab Mosque.

Abdallah Al Dardari, director of the United Nations Development Programme's regional office for Arab countries, said Bilan had revolutionized news programming in Somalia.

“With the unique voice and growing reach of the Bilan Media brand, they are creating change and better treatment for women and girls,” said Al Dardari.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/toa-soan-toan-phu-nu-dau-tien-o-somalia-noi-nguy-hiem-nhat-chau-phi-voi-nghe-bao-post266925.html