Empowering Media Voices: Two-Day Workshop Unveils Journalist and Media Practitioners WASH Toolkit in Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Bishoftu, Ethiopia – November 30, 2023: Pioneering a transformative initiative, the PMC-E hosted a dynamic two-day Journalist and Media Practitioners WASH Toolkit Familiarization Workshop.

Kalkidan Gugsa, UNICEF SBC Specialist, set the stage with a compelling welcome, shedding light on the underappreciated realm of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in the country. The meticulously crafted toolkit developed collaboratively over two years with dedicated government ministries and funded by UNICEF and collaborating by Population Media Center Ethiopia (PMC-E) was unveiled to an eager audience. Acknowledging numerous contributors, Kalkidan emphasized the need for ongoing input from journalists to enhance the toolkit’s impact.

“As media practitioners, your role is pivotal in prioritizing WASH issues in your daily activities,” stressed Kalkidan. “It’s time to shift our perspective from business promotion to the social, economic, and health angles. Let’s amplify the WASH narrative.”

Alemu Kejela from the Ministry of Health highlighted the critical state of global WASH, emphasizing the correlation between water sanitation, hygiene, and the prevalence of diseases like cholera, and other water borne diseases. He called upon journalists to leverage their platforms to address and combat these challenges.

UNICEF/Ministry of Health’s Yimenu Adane delved into the WASH situation in Ethiopia, presenting an overview that rationalized the toolkit’s background content. Chala Gari, from the Ministry of Health, outlined the indispensable role of media, including social media, in health communication and promotion, providing insights into WASH communication strategies.

The workshop resonated with participants who recognized the oversight of WASH in media coverage. With newfound awareness and understanding, media practitioners pledged to prioritize and champion WASH issues, emphasizing the need for strengthened collaboration among organizations.

Addressing the workshop’s pivotal role, participants discussed inclusive WASH planning and media strategy, emphasizing the significance of setting the WASH agenda. The event facilitated networking among participants, including representatives from regional health bureaus, MoH, MoWE, MoE, MoWS, the Federation of Persons with Disabilities, journalists, public relations experts, and WASH promotion and education professionals.

In conclusion, the workshop laid the foundation for a media-driven WASH advocacy movement, empowering journalists to shape public discourse, influence decision-makers, and play a pivotal role in advancing water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives nationwide.