UNICEF Odisha Launches Young Women Journalist Mentorship Programme In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Young Women Journalist Mentorship Programme 2022 was launched in Bhubaneswar by UNICEF Odisha in collaboration with South Asian Women of Media (SAWM) India, a network of women journalists in South Asia.

As part of the programme, a two-day orientation workshop was held on ‘working women and their children’ here on Saturday and Sunday.

The main aim of the workshop was to empower young women journalists, build their self-confidence, sharpen their reporting and writing skills, and connect them with mentors for guidance. Sixteen young women journalists from tribal, rural and underprivileged communities across the state were selected for mentoring by four senior journalists of Bhubaneswar.

The workshop was graced by MSME department’s Principal Secretary Ranjana Chopra, Sambad Group’s Radio Television and Digital Wings Head Tanaya Patnaik, OTV’s Co-founder and MD Jagi Mangat Panda, journalist Monideepa Banerjie, formerly with NDTV, and SAWM president Swati Bhattacharjee along with four senior women journalists of Odisha as mentors. Communication and Advocacy Specialist UNICEF Radhika Srivastava delivered the welcome address.

“This is a welcome step taken by SAWM and UNICEF. Women are excelling in all fields including media. Across all sectors, there is a need for much stronger representation of women. The mentees will have a great opportunity to interact with senior journalists and learn from them and make a mark for themselves in journalism in Odisha,” Ranjana Chopra said.

Monideepa Bannerjie shared her experience in journalism and the hurdles she has come across to be in the profession for 40 years. She talked about the unequal job conditions women journalists are facing these days and risking their lives for this profession.

In this workshop, young women journalists shared their experiences and challenges they are facing in this field.