The workshop was organised by Network of Journalists and aimed to raise awareness on reproductive health, rights and gender. It was executed by the Department of Information Services and funded by UNFPA.

In her Remarks, Aisha Davies Ann, acting director of information services, emphasised the importance of the forum and said it aims to orientate members of the Network of Journalists on issues of population and development.

Davies Ann pointed that the sixth country programme comprises three programme components namely reproductive health, gender, population and development.

The acting director further informed the participants of their roles as media practitioners in the implementation of the National Population Policy and Programme is critical and cannot be over emphasised. She added that UNFPA has already identified the media as crucial channel in advocating and UNFPA intend to work closely with the media.

She however challenged the media to do their best in creating awareness and always be a watchdog as far as reproductive rights and reproductive information is concerned.

For his part, Ebou Jallow, acting director UNFPA, said UNFPA is the Government’s main donor in the area of population and has been to the forefront of addressing sensitive population issues such as IGC and other harmful traditional proteins, adolescent sexuality and gender issues.

He urged media to disseminate the information gained from the workshop.