By: Shegaw Yemataw
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Yonsei Global Health Center and the KOICA International Cooperation Agency, hosted the second SHaPE2 workshop for journalists in Ethiopia.
This workshop, titled "Your Voice, Their Future: Advocate for Family Planning," aimed to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively report on family planning and sexual and reproductive health issues.
The workshop emphasized the crucial role of journalists in raising awareness and promoting informed decision-making within communities. Tegene Regassa, Public Relations and Communication Executive at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of media in advocating for behavioral change related to family planning and sexual and reproductive health.
He emphasized Ethiopia's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly those focused on improving health, education, and gender equality.
Cho Han Deog, KOICA Country Director to Ethiopia, further stressed the vital role of media in empowering communities by providing accurate information and addressing pressing health challenges. He emphasized the need for media to reach diverse audiences and facilitate informed decision-making in family life.
The workshop featured presentations from local and international organizations working in the health sector in Ethiopia. These presentations shed light on challenges related to access to healthcare, misinformation, cultural barriers, and gender inequality.
The organizations highlighted their ongoing efforts to address these challenges and urged media houses to amplify their message to reach a wider audience and improve lives.
The workshop brought together journalists, health professionals, and advocates, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing to strengthen the media's role in promoting family planning and sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia.