Introduction to NCWC

INTRODUCTION: The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) is an accredited NGO (Non Government Organization) with the United Nations. The NCWC has a long history of working internationally. NCWC has been a member of the International Council of Women (ICW) since 1897, and has consultative status at the United Nations, Category II. Each year we send a delegation to the meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Parallel Event – “Women, Media, Revolution: Amplifying Voices on the Frontlines” Where women use IT, and how.



Women Peacemaker Program – speaker – awards 4 women leaders in conflict country given a 2 month internship – we try to disseminate the stories – Free and open to the public. Present at a conference of at a forum – at local Santiago university. This year, with the stories of the revolutions – how they are covered, and when they are covered – the nature of the coverage. What happened to the women  in Egypt. What was the rest of the story. Conference to discuss – women in conflict situations. 

Women, Media, Revolution – conference. 

Jina Moore – Christian Science Monitor – trauma reporting – work in Africa – doesn’t fit in cliché. Work in post conflict counties. Does seem to be something that female reporters get – see it in conflict coverage. Telling of stories when gender part of it. West and southern Africa – Maternal health – African writers – Reproductive health – how to present topics to editors. Critcal way of telling story so subject is safe. Journalist, reader, and the subject – morally outraged by the story. Jackee Batanda – spent 6 months on internship, number of opinion pieces. Need for opportunities for African reporters to work in US. Following what is happening in Uganda. Freelance journalist. Women who are doing amazing things – Facing hardships but doing amazing things – refuges living in Uganda – who had lived in camps, then coming to the city. Give people an opportunity – Ethiopia – ended up hiring someone from Uganda. Women doing important work. Social rights issues. Uganda in a recovery process – women making a contribution – Jennifer Pozner – Women, Media and the News.  Contact analysis, and look at how issues reported across the board? Women’s voices – almost virtually absent – except for lifestyle coverage. 50% was in lifestyle – what clothes to buy etc. Least was foreign affairs. Women’s voices – no complete story without women’s voices. Work with journalists – connect them with women experts – from academia – when journalist looking for an expert – women in every field – women economist for example. Power Process Project – model the diversity of women’s voices. Morning TV programs – Sunday morning programs – women only 14% of guests. Blindness – by major stations. Policy work – reregulate the media conglomerate. Every issue a woman’s issue – is a really key thing – so why content is problematic. 

Women Make Movies – have operated for 40 years – we need the films – Kristen Fitzpatrick. Conference in 1975 with a statement – there is so much more to do. Internship, over 600 films – use collections for film festivals. The Price of Sex – used as training tool – Hip Hop movie – using movie and telling story about ending female genital mutilation.
Suggestion – of a topic of absence of war, and nuclear destruction.
Social media power – pushing agenda in own way.
Why does US not report international news.?
Media justice question – much cheaper to run a story from US.  Think that is the level of American interest. Idea that profit the most important factor. 5 or 6 white American men own most of American newsoutlets. Finding access to media – Christian Science Monitor – Democracy Now – Atlantic Monthly – etc. Response to Hate – movies for free – 


Government influence – journalists – access for preemptive reporting. Tips for NGOs – Start with independent press. Framing – something that is relevant – develop relationship with editors, journalists.  Not seen as newsmakers – Thank you’s important to recognize a good writer. On line petitions.

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