MiCT and GIZ Partner to Support Female Journalists & Civil Society Organizations in Iraq. MiCT (Media in Cooperation and Transition) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its program "Supporting Female Leadership in Journalism and Civil Society" in partnership with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit). The six-month program aimed to support female journalists and civil society organizations in Iraq by providing them with the necessary tools and financial support to enhance their skills in media productions and digital campaigns. By elevating the voices of women in Iraq through media, MiCT provided 6 Civil Society Organziations (CSOs) and 12 female journalists with the skills to make change, and collectively tackle issues related to women in Iraq.
GIZ Video about the MICT female leadership programme
The program culminated in a three-day closing workshop held in Baghdad, where female journalists and civil society organizations from various cities in Iraq came together to share their experiences and develop future plans for their work. The workshop provided a platform for participants to discuss the lessons learned and develop strategies for continuing their journalistic work that positively impacts society.
During the 6 month program, 12 female journalists attended workshops centred around themes that contribute to the development of their journalistic content while also producing and publishing independent media pieces that focused on empowering women. These workshops included practical sessions on news writing, feature writing, investigative journalism, and multimedia storytelling. The participants also learned about media ethics, safety, and security, which are essential skills for any journalist operating in challenging environments.
In addition, six civil society organizations attended workshops that provided information on how to create successful social media campaigns. These sessions had themes like: designing a social media strategy, content creation, audience engagement, and monitoring and evaluation. The participants learned how to use social media effectively to promote their causes, mobilize support, and raise awareness about their work while also fostering dialogue within Iraq, empowering diverse female voices through campaigns.
At the end of the three-day workshop, MiCT hosted a unique networking event for participants that was open to the public. This public event brought together female media makers working within the Iraqi context and provided a unique opportunity for women to come together and discuss the media landscape in Iraq and the participation of women within it.
We are thrilled to have supported these inspiring women who are driving change through their work in journalism and through civil society organizations. We believe that investing in the development of female leadership in these sectors is essential for building resilient and inclusive societies that value diversity and freedom of expression.
At MiCT, we remain committed to supporting journalists and civil society organizations worldwide, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with GIZ to support female leadership in Iraq and beyond.
