Bloggers in Cameroon have this December 8, 2020 made the commitment to better promote the rights of children.
This decision follows a one-day workshop organised by the Cameroonian Bloggers Association known by French acronym ABC and UNICEF Cameroon.
During the workshop, the UNICEF Communication Officer, Philemon Arouna, expatiated on the challenges UNICEF is trying to address in Cameroon.
He highlighted issues like mothers not exclusively breastfeeding their children for the first six months of life, malnutrition in children and non-issue of birth certificates or non-declaration of births amongst others.
On their part, the bloggers present agreed to fully partner with UNICEF to change the agenda especially as all these encompass the rights of children.
Resolutions and a calendar of activities were drafted at the end of the work session to chart the way forward.
According to the President of the Cameroonian Bloggers Association, Dania Ebongue, resolutions and not recommendations are the way forward after the workshop since UNICEF already has its goals and they as bloggers are set to partner with them.
Gender in Communication
The concepts of gender equality and gender equity were raised by the UNICEF Gender Programme Officer, Katerina Shalayeva.
She explained to the bloggers that UNICEF’s programming endeavours to be more gender transformative and at a minimum gender responsive.
In this regard, being gender transformative seeks to redress gender inequalities and empower the disadvantaged population.
Gender responsiveness on its part identifies and addresses the needs of girls, boys, women and men to promote equal outcomes.
The Gender Programme Officer explained to the bloggers that in reporting, they should focus on being gender transformative.
She highlighted some do’s and don’ts in relation to reporting on gender issues.
At the end of the session, the bloggers expressed their readiness to write more informative stories on children, thanks to the push from UNICEF.
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